Watch out for a temple complex along 50 acres of the Yamuna

The master-plan was changed despite objections by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission way back in 1997 when the project was first referred to them. The commission clearly said that a change in land-use could adversely affect the ecology of the watershed and the underground acquifer.

But the DDA went further. Although its amended master plan specifices that any socio-religious organisation can’t get more than a maximum of 15 hectares (approximately 40 acres), the DDA in January this year allotted another 28 acres to the trust—ostensibly for a parking lot and an additional religious and temple complex. Senior DDA officials confirmed the recent allotment to The Indian Express.

According to the original site plan prepared by the DDA, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, the plot is marked in the name of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) and the adjoining plots marked for ‘‘parking, camping sites and picnic spots.’’

BAPS has temples and centres across the world. It derives its lineage from Sahajanand Swami, who the sect believes was the incarnation of Purushottam, a cult figure in Hindu mythology.

When contacted, spokesman Swami Munivasta said: ‘‘This is DDA land and we have paid as per their specifications. We are also paying the DDA for design and planning. We are developing the parking lot so that it’s coordinated with the temple complex.’’

‘‘It will be a landmark of North India,’’ says Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vijay Kapoor who is DDA chairman. ‘‘They have got extra space this year for parking so that there is no vehicular congestion. The parking facilities will be used by other institutions as well which are slated to come up there soon.’’ Asked about the change in the master plan to accommodate the temple and the amount of land given to one organisation, he said: ‘‘The DDA acquired 280 acres all along the Yamuna. We have conceived this patch of land as a tourist destination wich will include the temple. Shortly, the DDA will allocate 5 acres to a Japanese-supported organisation for constructing a Budhist stupa.’’

At the construction site, hundreds of labourers are at present working with Dholpur stone carvings brought from Rajasthan for what appears to be a mini-city in the making. Ashwin Patel, the supervising engineering on duty, says the temple is being built entirely on donations on ‘‘ancient South Indian architectural style’’ and will take three more years to come up.

Even as the construction goes on, the DDA is defending itself in court where farmers, under the aegis of the Jhil Kuranja Co-opertive Milk Producers Society (JKCMPS), have alleged that the allotment was done in contravention of all DDA rules.

Said counsel for the petitioners K N Tripathy: ‘‘It is the political clout of the trust in the Government because of which this prized land has been given away. The Government must explain why favouritism was shown and why the master plan was amended for a single applicant.’’