DDA flags over 500 hectares of encroachment in Yamuna floodplain, plans crackdown
In a preliminary tabletop analysis, the Khasra data from Geospatial Delhi Ltd (GSDL) was overlaid to identify DDA land falling within Zone-O and the 1:25-year floodplain. Built-up areas were then marked on this land—about 562 hectares in Zone-O and around 25 hectares within the floodplain, the DDA stated in its April 29 report to the NGT.
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The report said the DDA would soon conduct a field survey to verify the nature of these built-up areas on DDA Khasras falling in the 'O'-zone, and necessary actions will be taken. It added that the agency had recently reclaimed encroached land, including 24 acres within the Yamuna Vanasthali project.
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The tribunal had in Oct 2023 set up a high-level committee led by Delhi's chief secretary to inspect and draft an action plan to conserve Zone O-II of the
Yamuna floodplain
. This followed the NGT's suo motu response to a TOI report titled 'Why flooding has forced DDA's master plan rethink', published in Aug 2023, and asked the committee to chalk out a plan on how the encroachment could be removed from the zone. That report highlighted how the Yamuna's water level reached a record 208.6 metres during the monsoon, flooding low-lying areas such as Raj Ghat and ITO.
As per the DDA's Master Plan 2041, the O zone is split into two parts—Zone O-I, which is highly encroached and forms 35% of the total floodplain, and Zone O-II. The O zone, one of about 15 delineated zones, includes riverfront areas and ecologically sensitive floodplain that are officially no-construction zones but remain heavily encroached.
While TOI reported that officials might regulate encroachments in O-I and adopt a zero-tolerance stance in O-II, experts expressed scepticism. "Dividing the O zone may not address the core problem," experts noted, warning that the actual floodplain is far broader than the 10,000 hectares classified under the 'O Zone'. A comprehensive study, they said, is needed to mitigate future flood impacts.
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