New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to submit a clear timeline for removing illegal encroachments from Delhi’s ‘O’ Zone and the Yamuna floodplain area, intensifying efforts to address environmental degradation along the river corridor.
The tribunal’s latest direction comes in connection with a suo motu case initiated in January last year following media reports highlighting the growing environmental concerns in the Yamuna floodplain region. According to the report, around 161 unauthorised colonies located within the ‘O’ Zone were contributing significantly to river pollution due to the absence of proper sewer connectivity.
The report stated that nearly 2.3 lakh households in these colonies are not connected to any formal sewer network, resulting in untreated sewage being discharged directly into the Yamuna River. The NGT observed that the issue raised substantial concerns regarding non-compliance with environmental regulations and the deterioration of the river ecosystem.
Referring to the National Capital Territory Regulations of 2019, the tribunal reiterated that the rules do not recognise or confer rights over land falling within the Yamuna floodplain or the ‘O’ Zone. Consequently, the tribunal noted that such unauthorised colonies are liable to be cleared in accordance with environmental and planning norms.
A bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, in its order dated August 8, 2025, granted DDA six weeks to submit a detailed report outlining the proposed timeline and action plan for removing the illegal encroachments.
The development is expected to reignite debates around urban expansion, informal settlements, and ecological conservation in Delhi, particularly concerning the fragile Yamuna floodplain zone, which has long faced pressures from unregulated development and pollution.
Source: Times of india
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