No construction along Yamuna, says HC

The Delhi High Court today banned constructions within 300 metres along the river Yamuna and directed the district courts against granting any stay on demolitions of any illegal structure on its banks.

A division bench headed by Justice Vijender Jain said that no subordinate court should grant any stay on demolition of unauthorised buildings carried out by the MCD and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

The court also asked the MCD to give details about how Rs 25 crore, sanctioned by the central government for beautification of the Yamuna banks, was to be spend by it. The court also directed various civic authorities of Delhi to ensure that the order was followed no construction was carried out within 300 meters along the banks.

While reprimanding the DDA, the court observed that ''the DDA was not putting much efforts to clear the encroachments from the banks in pursuant to its directions on November 16 and December 8, 2005.''

It also asked the authorities to approach Indian Space Research Organisation and HUDCO for satellite mapping of the area. Earlier the court had stated that ''the river Yamuna has to be re-developed in such a manner that it becomes a place of recreation with well-developed parks, landscape, trees.''