HC's strict order regarding cleaning of drains before monsoon!
The delhi High court directed the immediate removal of illegal structures blocking a drain in Taimur nagar area of South east Delhi. Justice Pratibha M. Singh and Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora's bench, while hearing the matter, said that it is shameful for people to live in such conditions in the national capital. The court said that it is necessary to make the drain fully functional before the monsoon, so that there is no problem of waterlogging in the surrounding colonies.
Colonies settled on the drain will not get exemption - High Court
During the hearing of the case, the delhi High court made it clear that illegal colonies built on drains, public paths or roads cannot be given legal recognition. The court said, "Whether it is a slum or a regular colony, whatever is obstructing the flow of the drain, it will have to be removed. The wider public interest should be given priority."
Whose negligence caused encroachment on the drain?
The delhi High court made this remark after the survey of the status of the drain presented by the Special Task Force. The survey revealed that due to the negligence of the delhi Development Authority, MCD and delhi Jal Board, the entire width of the drain has been encroached upon.
Instructions to remove encroachment from the drain by april 23
The court ordered the Additional Chief Secretary of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the delhi Government to call a meeting of the concerned officials by april 23 and make a plan to remove the encroachment and construct the drain. This plan will be presented before the court on april 28. The STF was directed to start the work of the drain immediately and remove all the obstructions.
'Encroachment in Zone O and yamuna flood area is illegal'
Advocate Prabhsahay Kaur, appearing on behalf of the DDA, said, "Taimur nagar drain falls in Zone O and yamuna flood plain, so illegal encroachments will not get any right here." However, the lawyer of the residents of a building built near the drain said that there are many such structures and everyone should be treated equally. On this, the court clarified that any construction on the drain is not acceptable. If the drain is not able to flow during monsoon, there will be huge loss of life and property.
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