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New Delhi: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is preparing to restart its demolition drive at Majnu Ka Tilla, located on the Yamuna floodplains, where hundreds of Pakistani Hindu refugees currently reside. The planned action comes after a previous attempt in mid-July was deferred due to the police citing a lack of available personnel during the Kanwar Yatra.
In a status report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the DDA confirmed that it is working on a revised plan for the operation. Officials are liaising with the Delhi Police and other agencies to determine a new timeline for the drive, which is intended to clear encroachments and support the ecological restoration of the floodplains.
The earlier demolition was scheduled for July 15 and 16 but was postponed following communication from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), who advised that adequate security cover could not be provided during the religious procession. The police also recommended a joint survey and consultation with other bodies before resuming any clearance activity.
Following the conclusion of the Kanwar Yatra on July 23rd, the DDA requested fresh dates for a joint inspection of the site to assess conditions on the ground and move forward in a coordinated manner.
The proposed demolition is in line with repeated judicial directives to remove illegal settlements from the Yamuna floodplains. In May, the Delhi High Court rejected a petition seeking protection for the refugee camp, ruling that its residents had no legal claim over the land. The court underscored the importance of preserving the floodplains for environmental reasons and in compliance with orders from the Supreme Court, NGT and High Court.
In advance of the earlier drive, the DDA issued a public notice on July 14 ordering residents to vacate the area immediately, warning that they would be held responsible for any losses incurred during the operation.
The High Court has also reiterated that even Indian citizens cannot demand alternative housing when occupying land in restricted zones such as Zone ‘O’, which covers the Yamuna floodplain.
With coordination between the DDA and law enforcement under way, the clearance drive is expected to proceed soon, setting the stage for a potentially contentious operation in one of Delhi’s most sensitive locations.
