SC panel seeks action against DDA for illegal construction in Ridge

May 7, 2024: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, has proposed taking action against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for unauthorised construction and the cutting down of approximately 750 trees in the Ridge area of South Delhi. This action was allegedly taken in contravention of the Supreme Court’s directives and without approval from the Centre.

As per a report submitted to the apex court, the CEC highlighted that in December 2023, the DDA allocated land with ridge-like features for constructing an approach road from the main Chhatarpur road to Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences, SAARC University and other establishments. This allocation was in violation of the provisions outlined in the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

The CEC disclosed that 222 trees were cut down in a non-forest area without authorisation under the Delhi Protection of Trees Act, 1994, for road construction. Additionally, 523 trees were felled in areas with “morphological features” without the central government’s approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and Supreme Court directives.

The Delhi Ridge, an extension of the Aravalli Ranges, spans from Delhi University in the north to the south and beyond, covering 7,777 hectare. It comprises the Northern Ridge (87 hectare), Central Ridge (864 hectare), South Central Ridge (626 hectare) and Southern Ridge (6,200 hectare). In 1994, the city government designated the Delhi Ridge as a reserved forest, known as the ‘Notified Ridge Area.’ The term “morphological ridge” refers to the part of the ridge area with ridge-like features but lacks forest notification.

Authorisation from the Ridge Management Board, chaired by the Delhi chief secretary, and approval from the Supreme Court through the CEC are mandatory for any construction activity in the Delhi Ridge and morphological ridge areas.