DDA becomes ‘Delhi Destruction Authority’

The Supreme Court recently criticised the DDA for not keeping an eye on the wide range of encroachments taking place on public land terming it as a destructive authority.
 
Justice V S Sirpurkar and G S Singhvi came down heavily on the DDA for overlooking several illegal encroachments of property and government land in the city. Disapproving their callous attitude towards the issue, the bench asked for an explanation and issued a warning stating if they failed to handle the issue, their higher authority will be questioned.    
 
The DDA invited the court’s anger after a case filed by a tenant in Nehru Nagar seeking de-sealing of his property which was sealed in the year 2006 as part of the earlier orders.
 
After having a look at the records, the bench observed that the land for which the applicant was seeking de‑sealing was already on encroached public land that was owned by the DDA.
 
In the year 2006, the apex court had ordered sealing of several unauthorised buildings in the city and is currently examining DDA’s MPD (Master Plan for Delhi) following several petitions filed by civil society members, individuals and NGOs challenging its validity.

22