Bus depots, train shed, villages could be forced to leave the Yamuna

This comes after the principal committee appointed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its report has recommended against the regularisation of several colonies located on the flood plains that have been included in the list of 895 colonies to be regularized. The committee noted that the existence of these colonies on the flood plains would prove “disastrous in the long run”.

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Sources said that the department is considering the move based on recommendations by environmental activist Manoj Mishra, who filed a petition before the tribunal against severe pollution in the Yamuna river.

“We need to ascertain how disasters may be prevented. Relocating whole colonies is definitely a task since generations have established themselves in these areas. However, it is still easier to relocate a small number of government establishments which will prove to be a safe option in the long run” said a senior government official.

According to senior government officials, following Mishra’s recommendations, Chairman of the Principal Committee – Shashi Shekhar, Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has asked the DDA and other state government authorities to “consider them suitably”.

In its report which is yet to be submitted before the NGT, the committee has stated that colonies in South East, East and North Delhi have to be relocated since they lie on the active flood plains which can prove “dangerous in the long run”.