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The Delhi High Court has ordered slum dwellers on the Yamuna floodplains to vacate their homes within three days. If they fail to do so, they will have to pay Rs 50,000 each to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will proceed with the demolition. The court has taken this decision after being informed that a committee headed by the lieutenant governor has issued directions to clean the Yamuna River due to its pollution levels, which were brought to the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 9.
The NGT revived the matter of the pollution of the Yamuna and a high-level committee on January 27 passed directions to take immediate steps to control pollution of the river and remove encroachments there. The DDA has been tasked with the demolition of jhuggis and informed Justice Prathiba M Singh that the residents had come back to the same place twice after the removal of encroachments.
The court was hearing a plea by residents of Moolchand basti located on the Yamuna floodplains at Bela Estate, Rajghat, claiming that the DDA and Delhi Police officials visited them in August 2022 and threatened them to vacate their jhuggis which would otherwise be demolished. The DDA's counsel told the court that the residents had also filed a contempt petition, but no contempt case had been made out against the authorities.
The court directed the DDA to proceed with the demolition after three days and said that no further indulgence will be shown to the petitioners or their families. It also disposed of the contempt plea observing that no contempt was made. The court said the residents had concealed certain material facts, as recorded in its order of August 17, 2022, regarding earlier litigations challenging eviction by their fathers and grandfathers which had attained finality till the Supreme Court.
When the matter was listed on January 13, the court had stayed the proposed demolition considering the harsh winter. However, the court has now ordered the slum dwellers to vacate the area within three days or pay a fine. This decision may be difficult for the residents, but it is important for the protection of the Yamuna River and its environment. The court has taken a strict stance on the matter and has instructed the police to take strict action against the residents who refuse to vacate the area. It is important for everyone to contribute to the protection of the environment and take steps to reduce pollution levels, which can cause harm to both humans and wildlife.
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