HC seeks report from Centre on illegal construction in Ridge

New Delhi, Jan 28 The Delhi High Court today sought a detailed report from the Centre and the city government on a PIL alleging illegal constructions in the Ridge which are allegedly preventing recharge of ground water in south Delhi. The Court also sought a report from the Central Ground Water Authority for not taking appropriate steps to preserve the ground water in the Ridge area. A Division Bench of Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Sanjeev Khanna also sought a detailed affidavit from the DDA, MCD besides the NCT government and the Ministry of Urban Development by February 25, the next date of hearing. The court order came while hearing a PIL filed by Romesh Chopra seeking direction to stop the DDA and private entities in some part of Vasant Vihar, Mohammadpur and the Cantonment on the water re-charge area in the Ridge. According to the petitioner" There is widespread illegal construction in the area through which water reserves are re-charged". In 1990, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had surveyed the area and demarcated 640 hectare and declared it as"notified area"but the DDA was in possession of 315 hectare and the rest was occupied by the Army, the petitioner said. However, over the last few years several constructions have come up violating the recommendations given by the GSI, the petitioner said while seeking a direction restraining DDA and private companies from undertaking construction activities.

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