5 years and counting: NGT raps DDA, other agencies for failure to clear Yamuna floodplains of encroachments

In the 22-km stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla in Delhi where Yamuna flows, the Delhi Development Authority and other agencies were directed to remove encroachments in the floodplains in a 2019 order passed by the National Green Tribunal and an April order last year by the Delhi High Court.

Written by: Sophiya Mathew

3 min readNew Delhi Updated: Feb 11, 2025 07:38 AM IST

Five years after issuing an order for freeing the Yamuna floodplains from encroachments, the NGT recently pulled up several agencies for non-compliance.

The matter has been listed for April 4, for further proceedings. (File Photo/Tashi Tobgyal)

Five years after issuing an order for freeing the Yamuna floodplains from encroachments, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Forest Department over non-compliance. The tribunal bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava observed, “After that order of the Tribunal, more than five years have passed, but till now the order has not been complied with.”

In the 22-km stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla in Delhi where Yamuna flows, the DDA and other agencies were directed to remove encroachments in the floodplains in a 2019 order passed by the NGT and an April order last year by the Delhi High Court.

Citing various other orders, including a writ petition titled, ‘Shabnam Burney vs Union of India & Ors’, wherein the petitioner sought directions to remove illegal encroachments in the Yamuna floodplains, the HC — in its interim order in April last year — directed the DDA Vice Chairman to remove all encroachments and illegal construction on the Yamuna river bank, river bed and drains flowing into the river.

The NGT bench in an order dated February 6 also cited a January 2024 Supreme Court order wherein the apex court “agreed with the concern expressed by the NGT about maintaining the flood plains of river Yamuna in the larger interest of not only the members of public but in the largerinterest of the environment.”

“In spite of these orders by NGT, Division Bench of the High Court of Delhi and the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the flood plain of River Yamuna in Delhi stretch has not been cleared from encroachment,” stated the bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad.

In addition to this, the DDA had been in October, last year directed to submit details of several encroachments identified in the Delhi stretch of the floodplain and the number of encroachments in Majnu Ka Tila excluding encroachments by Pakistani refugees. It was also directed to disclose the number of refugee families that have taken shelter in Majnu ka Tila.

The Tribunal observed that this was also not complied with. The DDA in response has sought three weeks to submit a fresh affidavit. The matter has been listed for April 4, for further proceedings.

Sophiya Mathew

Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:

Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Delhi Pollution Control Committee Forest Department National Green Tribunal (NGT) Yamuna floodplains