NGT Directs DDA to Deconcretise Yamuna Floodplain Projects for Ecological Restoration
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to implement the recommendations of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for six ongoing projects located on the Yamuna floodplain. This directive, issued on January 21, 2025, comes as part of an ongoing effort to reverse the environmental damage caused by uncontrolled concretisation and development in the sensitive area.
The NGT’s ruling is a continuation of its 2015 order, which established clear guidelines for regulating construction activities on the Yamuna floodplain. In this latest order, the tribunal reiterated that no permanent structures or concretisation should occur on the floodplain, except in exceptional circumstances. The NGT’s decision was prompted by a news report last year, which highlighted the growing issue of concrete developments on the floodplain. Following this, the NGT took suo motu cognisance and asked for an assessment of the situation. In response, NMCG visited six sites — Asita East, Baansera (including a casting yard), Millennium Bus Depot, Surghat, and Qudsia Ghat (now known as Vasudev Ghat) — and recommended deconcretisation. The NMCG’s inspection team found that several sites, once advertised as eco-friendly or necessary for infrastructural development, had been heavily concretised, undermining the floodplain’s ecological health. For example, Baansera, promoted as an eco-friendly bamboo park by DDA, had a casting yard linked to the Public Works Department’s Barapullah elevated corridor project. The NMCG recommended that DDA collaborate with the Public Works Department to vacate and deconcretise the area for restoration.
The casting yard near the Signature Bridge, managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), was also identified as needing attention. NMCG’s report emphasised that DDA should ensure that DMRC complies with notices and deconcretises the area. At Asita East, the NMCG pointed out a 300-metre pathway covered with paver blocks, suggesting that DDA rework the area and reduce the paved space. The report recommended that only limited access for manual-run bicycles or battery-operated cars be allowed in the restored space. Meanwhile, the Millennium Bus Depot, constructed during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, featured extensive concrete parking stretches. NMCG recommended conducting tests to evaluate the environmental impact of the material used before proceeding with any demolition. DDA was instructed to submit an action plan for the restoration and management of waste generated by this process, under the supervision of a competent authority.
The NGT has given DDA clear instructions to follow through with the deconcretisation and restoration actions suggested by the NMCG, as well as the findings of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report. The tribunal has urged DDA to expedite these measures and implement them as quickly as possible, without causing unnecessary delays. This order has sparked a renewed focus on the ecological restoration of the Yamuna floodplain, with DDA now tasked with reversing the damage caused by years of construction. Environmentalists and local communities have welcomed the NGT’s directive, seeing it as an important step toward the protection of the river’s natural habitat. Officials have expressed that the deconcretisation process will be challenging, but it is crucial for the long-term health of the Yamuna river. By restoring the floodplain, they aim to strengthen the river’s natural flood regulation abilities, improve biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for the people who live along its banks. The NGT’s decision highlights the growing importance of sustainable development in urban planning, particularly in areas as ecologically sensitive as floodplains. As the DDA moves forward with these remedial actions, the hope is that future projects in the region will place a greater emphasis on environmental preservation, setting a precedent for other urban developments across India.
