“Eighteen people lived here. They left around 8 this morning for work as daily wage labourers. They don’t even know of this yet,” says Arjun Kumar, 27, incharge of one of the Porta cabins in Yamuna Khadar.
On Friday, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolished multiple structures, including a DUSIB night shelter and an NGO-run educational and vocational training centre, in the area as part of its anti-encroachment drive on Yamuna floodplains.
“I repeatedly told them that this is a government structure. But they didn’t listen…,” Kumar adds. Delhi’s Urban Development minister Saurabh Bharadwaj slammed the DDA for the move. “This is illegal. DDA has shown its anti-poor mentality. We will explore legal options against this,” he tells The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, at the demolition site, people could be seen salvaging their belongings. “We somehow managed to take four beds out of the shelter,” says Arjun, adding, “Everyone will have to spend the night here only, even if it rains.” Meanwhile, a vehicle belonging to Akshaya Patra Foundation reaches the spot with the night meals for the shelter. There are no more utensils left to collect the food, though. “Everything was fine when I came yesterday,” says the driver.
The children in the area used to study at an educational centre run by an NGO – Rakshdeep Akshvaat Foundation. Only its rubble remains now. “250 children from the area used to study here, without any charge,” says Madhu, 49, CEO and Director of the foundation, which also conducted free sewing and parlour-training courses for women. “The facility has been running for a year now, and we had invested around Rs 20 lakh from our own pocket. Inhe 2 minute bhi nahi laga todne mein (It didn’t take them even two minutes to break them),” Madhu complains.
Around 2 kilometre away, Poonam Devi is sitting in front of a broken tent near Pusta Road. Her daughter is supposed to get married in the night, the wedding tent has also been demolished. “Daawat ka bhi sara saaman kuchal diya,” says the bride’s maternal uncle, Raghunath Singh.
“She has gone to a friend’s place. Where will she get ready here?” her father, Shailendra Singh, 45, asks.
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The residents said DDA posted the demolition notice on Thursday evening and reached the area 12 hours later.
“Hum bus so ke uthe the (We had just woken up),” says the bride’s uncle, Kaptaan Singh, 42.
Around 50 meters away, for the family of Heera Lal Singh, who died the previous night, the demolition came as a double blow. “Body ke samne he humare ghar tod diye (They demolished our homes even as the body lay),” says Lal’s nephew, Ray Singh, 33. “We have been living here for 27 years.”
The DDA did not respond to comments on the demolition of the DUSIB shelter. Officials, however, said that as per NGT orders, structures cannot be built on the Yamuna floodplain.
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Meanwhile, in a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, social activist and Executive Director of Centre for Holistic Development (CHD) Sunil Kumar Aledia and lawyer Pragya Dubey said the action was against the Supreme Court orders.
“This action violates the Supreme Court’s ruling… which mandates that no temporary shelters can be demolished without approaching the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the letter states.
It also urged authorities concerned to take action against DDA officials responsible for demolishing the night shelter.
Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance.
Professional Expertise & Credentials
An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment.
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Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues:
Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact.
Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors.
Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues.
Personal Interests & Digital Literacy
Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More
