A DTC bus depot being constructed at Yamuna flood plain, near Akshardham temple, to ferry athletes and officials to and from the Games Village to sports venues has come under the scanner of the Delhi high court.
Filing a petition on behalf of an NGO, Tapas, environmentalist V.K. Jain has alleged that the site is on the flood plain and river front is in violation of the DDA Master Plan 2021 and zonal plan, which has declared the area as “O” zone for “recreational purpose”.
Moreover, no permission has been obtained from the DDA authorities to ensure that the construction is in line with guidelines, the petition alleges. It has also ought an immediate ban on such activities.
Mr Jain alleged that if the construction is allowed to continue it would lead to a environmental disaster given the presence of a good number of aquifers in the area, causing further water crisis in the city.
Mr Jain has also attached various photographs of ongoing construction of the bus depots that has led to concretisation in the area.
The site in question is located next to Nizamuddin bridge, behind IP power station on Yamuna flood plain, which has been declared as no-construction zone by the lieutenant governor also. “The DDA and Central Ground Water Authority have said that it were not aware of any such project,” Mr Jain said.
However, the Delhi government has denied any violation.
An official of the Delhi government has, however, made it clear that “this is a semi-temporary structure to ferry the athletes to and from the Commonwealth Games Village and sports venues. There is no violation the DDA Master Plan-2021 and Zonal plan.”
The government has planned in a big way to provide better facilities to the sports personnel and officials staying at the Games village during the event.