Infrastructure – DDA Begins Demolition at Yamuna Floodplain After Fresh Eviction Notice
Infrastructure – The Delhi Development Authority has started removing unauthorized settlements along the Yamuna floodplain after issuing fresh eviction notices, with affected families raising concerns over rehabilitation, safety, and loss of livelihood.
DDA Clears Encroachments Along Yamuna Floodplain Following Eviction Notices
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Thursday launched a demolition drive in the Yamuna Bazar area, a day after asking residents living between Ghat No. 2 and Ghat No. 32 to vacate the site voluntarily. The operation was carried out as part of an exercise to remove structures identified as unauthorized on the Yamuna floodplain. Authorities also advised families residing in the area to shift to nearby shelter homes before the action began.
Residents Describe Early Morning Eviction Operation
According to people living in the locality, demolition teams reached the area early in the morning and began clearing the settlement around 6 a.m. The colony, which accommodates nearly 80 families, witnessed the removal of houses while police personnel remained deployed to maintain order throughout the operation.
Several residents expressed disappointment over the action, claiming their families had lived in the area for decades. They said they had official records, including property tax receipts and lease-related documents, to support their long-term occupancy.
Families Raise Questions Over Rehabilitation Arrangements
Many affected residents also voiced concerns regarding the temporary accommodation offered by the authorities. One resident said the designated shelter homes did not provide a safe environment for families and questioned whether sufficient attention had been given to their rehabilitation needs.
Another elderly resident explained that although his family had packed their belongings in anticipation of the eviction, they had not been provided with a permanent alternative place to live. He said the uncertainty surrounding relocation had added to the difficulties faced by those displaced during the drive.
Boat Operators Fear Loss of Traditional Livelihood
The demolition has also affected families dependent on the Yamuna River for their livelihood. A local boat operator stated that his family had been associated with the river for generations and relied entirely on boating activities to earn a living.
He said relocating away from the riverbank would make it nearly impossible to continue the occupation that had supported his family for many decades. Along with the challenge of finding a new residence, he added that arranging another source of income would place a significant financial burden on the household.
Police Maintain Security During Demolition Drive
Officials said adequate police deployment was made to ensure the demolition proceeded without disruption. According to a police officer familiar with the operation, security personnel remained present throughout the exercise to maintain law and order and facilitate the smooth implementation of the clearance drive.
DDA Cites NGT Directions for Floodplain Clearance
The latest eviction notice issued by the DDA described the settlements as unauthorized and informed residents that encroachments would be removed if they failed to vacate voluntarily. The notice stated that the action was being carried out in compliance with directions issued by the National Green Tribunal, which requires the Yamuna floodplain under the DDA’s jurisdiction to be cleared of all forms of encroachment.
This is not the first time residents in the locality have received such notices. Similar eviction orders were served about a month earlier by the DDA and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. The affected stretch falls within the notified O-Zone, a protected floodplain where construction activities are restricted under existing environmental regulations.