Yamuna O-Zone Demolitions Continue Despite Delhi Government's Assurance

Weeks after the Delhi government clarified that no demolitions would be carried out in the Yamuna floodplain's O-Zone area, several houses along the floodplains were razed on Thursday. Authorities claimed that the demolished structures were not protected from punitive action. The drive has left displaced families grappling with an uncertain future.

Only 91 unauthorised colonies have been exempted from demolitions, as per the Delhi High Court order on May 23. On Thursday, around 30 houses at Yamuna Bazaar were demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Earlier this month, demolitions were also carried out along Pusta Road, Pradhan Garden, Khadda Colony and Jaitpur Part-II.

Zone 'O' is an ecologically sensitive floodplain area where permanent construction is prohibited as per several National Green Tribunal (NGT) and High Court orders.

Ruby, 25, a resident whose house was razed, was forced to move to a rented room nearby for her family of five. "I have two daughters. The younger one is only two years old. When they were demolishing our homes, she was crying 'Mumma andhar jaana hein...' (I want to go inside my home)." She now pays a rent of Rs 5,000 a month for the room. "Everybody here is looking for a place to live and food to eat. We don’t know what to do. We are left helpless."

Another resident, Rajiv Pandit, who had been living along the floodplains for decades, said, "Those who had some money could find a place to stay in rented rooms. But the majority here are labourers. Where will we go?"

In response, the DDA stated that the actions at Yamuna Bazaar are part of a larger floodplain restoration programme aimed at protecting the ecological integrity of the river corridor and restoring historic ghats and floodplain areas. The authority said it followed necessary steps, including issuance of public notices, site inspections, public announcements, and consideration of representations received from stakeholders.

The DDA clarified that the action was limited to "removal of unauthorized and recent constructions or encroachments identified under the approved restoration plan prepared by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and approved by the competent authorities. Historic ghats and heritage structures identified for preservation and restoration are proposed to be conserved and revitalized as part of the project."

An eviction notice issued last month by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Additional District Magistrate (Old Delhi) noted that around 310 dwellings at Yamuna Bazaar were encroachments in the O-Zone floodplain land managed by DDA. Citing a "serious threat to human life, cattle and property" due to the flood-prone area, it said emergency response measures have caused a strain on public resources.

The DDA also listed possible shelter homes for affected residents, stating, "The affected families can take the benefit of temporary shelter of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB)," citing a Delhi High Court order.