“Delhi Jal Board does not even know which agency maintains such a record”
Groundwater is extracted with impunity is the general refrain, but the agencies concerned — the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) or the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) — cannot quantify just how much of the natural resource is lost on an everyday basis or for what purposes.
This, even as policies and programmes to check rampant misuse of groundwater have been implemented.
Vinod Jain of the non-government organisation Tapas said the DJB and the CGWA keep no tabs on the quantity of groundwater extracted or the percentage used for commercial and domestic purposes. Mr. Jain had sought information under the Right to Information Act from the agencies about the quantum of groundwater used up by individuals, industry and societies.
“Through the RTI, we learnt that none of the agencies have any record of how much water is being used up. The standard reply I received was that ‘no data on withdrawal of water/depletion of groundwater table is being maintained.' The DJB even said they did not know which agency maintained such a record,” said Mr. Jain.
In Delhi where the commercial use of groundwater has been banned, seven of the nine districts are ‘overexploited' vis-à-vis the resource.
“We had asked the agencies if they had any data on how much withdrawal of groundwater is carried out everyday and on an average by individuals, for what purposes — drinking, bottling, by farm houses or fire tenders etc., The idea was to ascertain whether such data can be put to use by helping plan for the future,” said Mr. Jain.
He went on to add: “The data could have been used to get an exact demand of the groundwater. It could have helped the agencies plan accordingly for ensuring water security.”
Groundwater contributes to the city's demand not met by the DJB's piped water supply. It is also being used for various non-potable purposes, including construction and agricultural.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Plan panel begins consultations on 12th Plan approach (Hindu 24 May 2011)
Starting with the northern region, the Planning Commission on Monday launched the process of consultations with Chief Ministers on formulation of the Approach Paper to the12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) as directed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to commence work immediately on preparation of a draft.
As flagged in its presentation at the full meeting of the Planning Commission presided over by the Prime Minister on April 21, issues with regard to water, energy and infrastructure also emerged as the main topics for discussion at the meeting with the seven northern States.
The meeting also marked the beginning of consultation with States to formulate the Approach Paper for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). This comes at a time when the country is looking at raising the average economic growth to 9-9.5 per cent from 8.2 per cent expected in the current Plan.
Briefing the media, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said: “Today's (Monday) meeting showed that water and energy, two issues considered important by us, are also on priority list of States”.
Elated by the consensus on issues that need to be tackled, Mr. Ahluwalia noted that during the meeting Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit favoured the establishment of a ‘Water Regulatory Authority'. “Another CM pointed to water management, groundwater depletion and watershed management. I am happy that the CMs have called for action to find a solution to the water issue. Energy was also a major issue raised by the states,” he said.
Many suggestions
Pointing to a “large number of suggestions” made by the States, he said: “We will take them into account when we finally get around [to preparing the Approach Paper]”. Apart from Mr. Ahluwalia and members of the Plan panel, the meeting was attended by the chief ministers of Delhi (Shiela Dikshit), Haryana (Bhupinder Singh Hooda) and Himachal Pradesh (Prem Kumar Dhumal) while Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Union territory of Chandigarh were represented by senior ministers and officials.
Mr. Ahluwalia noted that similar consultations would be held with other States soon. “Within the next three weeks or so, I hope that the consultations will be over. We had the consultations with northern States. It will be followed by other regions -- western, southern, eastern and north-eastern,” he said.
As for the other issues that came up for discussion, Mr. Ahluwalia said that cash transfer to below poverty line (BPL) families was one such topic.
As flagged in its presentation at the full meeting of the Planning Commission presided over by the Prime Minister on April 21, issues with regard to water, energy and infrastructure also emerged as the main topics for discussion at the meeting with the seven northern States.
The meeting also marked the beginning of consultation with States to formulate the Approach Paper for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). This comes at a time when the country is looking at raising the average economic growth to 9-9.5 per cent from 8.2 per cent expected in the current Plan.
Briefing the media, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said: “Today's (Monday) meeting showed that water and energy, two issues considered important by us, are also on priority list of States”.
Elated by the consensus on issues that need to be tackled, Mr. Ahluwalia noted that during the meeting Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit favoured the establishment of a ‘Water Regulatory Authority'. “Another CM pointed to water management, groundwater depletion and watershed management. I am happy that the CMs have called for action to find a solution to the water issue. Energy was also a major issue raised by the states,” he said.
Many suggestions
Pointing to a “large number of suggestions” made by the States, he said: “We will take them into account when we finally get around [to preparing the Approach Paper]”. Apart from Mr. Ahluwalia and members of the Plan panel, the meeting was attended by the chief ministers of Delhi (Shiela Dikshit), Haryana (Bhupinder Singh Hooda) and Himachal Pradesh (Prem Kumar Dhumal) while Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Union territory of Chandigarh were represented by senior ministers and officials.
Mr. Ahluwalia noted that similar consultations would be held with other States soon. “Within the next three weeks or so, I hope that the consultations will be over. We had the consultations with northern States. It will be followed by other regions -- western, southern, eastern and north-eastern,” he said.
As for the other issues that came up for discussion, Mr. Ahluwalia said that cash transfer to below poverty line (BPL) families was one such topic.
Demand for quick resolution of Delhi's solid waste disposal, water needs (Hindu 24 May 2011)
During Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Plan, organised at Delhi Secretariat
For A better FUTURE:Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Plan in New Delhi on Monday.— Photo: V. Sudershan
The need for the northern States to cooperate in the development of infrastructure for meeting the basic needs of the people relating to housing, water, power and transportation was stressed during the Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Five Year Plan, which was organised at the Delhi Secretariat.
In his introductory remarks, Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia said proper feedback was very important to develop a system.
‘Not just a plan'
He added that since the Five Year Plan is not merely a five-year Budget but also a policy framework, the 12{+t}{+h}Plan will be based on faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth. The Plan will be evolved in such a way that people feel a wide sense of participation.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit expressed confidence that with such high level participation of seven Northern States and the Planning Commission, the exercise would be truly meaningful and useful in evolving the approach to the 12th Plan.
Delhi being a small urbanised territory is dependent on neighbouring States for many of its requirements, she said, adding that it needed complete cooperation and support from these States, as also from the Planning Commission.
Ms. Dikshit said it was very essential to develop the National Capital Region to lessen the burden on Delhi, and for this, more powers should be vested with the NCR Board. The Chief Minister also underlined the need to have a Common Economic Zone for the NCR and a Common Economic Development Policy for this area.
By the end of the 12th Plan, Delhi's population may be around 19 million, and by 2021, it may touch the 20 million mark, the Chief Minister said.
With disposal of solid waste for the mega city posing a major challenge and lack of sufficient land for disposal of solid waste adding to the complexity, Ms. Dikshit urged all participating States to set up common sanitary landfill sites in the NCR.
Besides, waste disposal, Ms. Dikshit also spoke about increasing the water supply.
To meet the increased water demand in Delhi, the Chief Minister said, there was a need to expedite potential reservoir projects like Renuka, Keshau and Lakhwar Viyasi.
Cooperation required
Ms. Dikshit also submitted a suggestion to construct a common pond near boundaries of Delhi, Haryana and U.P. which may help resolve water problems. This will require cooperation from these three States, she said, adding that this project would help in storage of flood water available in Yamuna river during the rainy season to meet the raw water requirement during the rest of the year.
Ms. Dikshit also talked about how to decongest Delhi roads and that to ensure that traffic meant for other States avoided Delhi roads, it was essential that the Western and Eastern Peripheral Expressways are completed expeditiously.
Referring to the development in NCR, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda spoke of the need to make the NCR Board more purposeful and development-oriented.
‘Extend metro to Haryana cities'
He also demanded extension of Delhi Metro in the neighbouring cities of Haryana.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the problems coming in the way of the Renuka Dam Project should be resolved at the earliest so that Delhi could get more drinking water.
He said the Regional Consultation will help in implementation of the Plan and to achieve the targets. Finance Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh also expressed their views at the meet.
For A better FUTURE:Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Plan in New Delhi on Monday.— Photo: V. Sudershan
The need for the northern States to cooperate in the development of infrastructure for meeting the basic needs of the people relating to housing, water, power and transportation was stressed during the Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Five Year Plan, which was organised at the Delhi Secretariat.
In his introductory remarks, Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia said proper feedback was very important to develop a system.
‘Not just a plan'
He added that since the Five Year Plan is not merely a five-year Budget but also a policy framework, the 12{+t}{+h}Plan will be based on faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth. The Plan will be evolved in such a way that people feel a wide sense of participation.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit expressed confidence that with such high level participation of seven Northern States and the Planning Commission, the exercise would be truly meaningful and useful in evolving the approach to the 12th Plan.
Delhi being a small urbanised territory is dependent on neighbouring States for many of its requirements, she said, adding that it needed complete cooperation and support from these States, as also from the Planning Commission.
Ms. Dikshit said it was very essential to develop the National Capital Region to lessen the burden on Delhi, and for this, more powers should be vested with the NCR Board. The Chief Minister also underlined the need to have a Common Economic Zone for the NCR and a Common Economic Development Policy for this area.
By the end of the 12th Plan, Delhi's population may be around 19 million, and by 2021, it may touch the 20 million mark, the Chief Minister said.
With disposal of solid waste for the mega city posing a major challenge and lack of sufficient land for disposal of solid waste adding to the complexity, Ms. Dikshit urged all participating States to set up common sanitary landfill sites in the NCR.
Besides, waste disposal, Ms. Dikshit also spoke about increasing the water supply.
To meet the increased water demand in Delhi, the Chief Minister said, there was a need to expedite potential reservoir projects like Renuka, Keshau and Lakhwar Viyasi.
Cooperation required
Ms. Dikshit also submitted a suggestion to construct a common pond near boundaries of Delhi, Haryana and U.P. which may help resolve water problems. This will require cooperation from these three States, she said, adding that this project would help in storage of flood water available in Yamuna river during the rainy season to meet the raw water requirement during the rest of the year.
Ms. Dikshit also talked about how to decongest Delhi roads and that to ensure that traffic meant for other States avoided Delhi roads, it was essential that the Western and Eastern Peripheral Expressways are completed expeditiously.
Referring to the development in NCR, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda spoke of the need to make the NCR Board more purposeful and development-oriented.
‘Extend metro to Haryana cities'
He also demanded extension of Delhi Metro in the neighbouring cities of Haryana.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the problems coming in the way of the Renuka Dam Project should be resolved at the earliest so that Delhi could get more drinking water.
He said the Regional Consultation will help in implementation of the Plan and to achieve the targets. Finance Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh also expressed their views at the meet.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
नदियों के किनारे कंस्ट्रक्शन पर लगेगी रोक (Nav Bharat Times/Noida- 20 May 2011)
विनोद शर्मा ॥ नोएडा
हिंडन और यमुना समेत देश की सभी नदियों के किनारे बांध क्षेत्र की सीमा के अंदर चल रहे निर्माण कार्यों पर गाज गिर सकती है। केंद्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने गैरसरकारी संगठनों की मांग पर रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन का ड्राफ्ट बनाने की तैयारी शुरू कर दी है। ड्राफ्ट तैयार करने के लिए 10 सदस्यीय एक कमिटी गठित की गई है। पर्यावरण मंत्रालय के विशेष सचिव जे. एम. मॉस्कर इस कमिटी के चेयरमैन बनाए गए हैं। इस कमिटी में पर्यावरण के विशेषज्ञ, वैज्ञानिक और प्रफेसर और एडवोकेट को भी शामिल किया गया है। इस जोन के बन जाने के बाद नदी के रिवर फ्लड प्लेन एरिया को सेफ रखा जा सकेगा। तब नदियों के किनारे बेशकीमती जमीनों के आस-पास प्लान बनाते समय अप्रूवल लेना होगा, इसमें पब्लिक ऑब्जेक्शन भी होगा।
केंद्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्रालय से जुड़े आधिकारिक सूत्रों के हवाले से मिली जानकारी के अनुसार इस कमिटी को लेकर पब्लिक की तरफ से काफी दिनों से डिमांड चल रही थी। हालांकि केंद्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्रालय में सबसे पहले रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन बनाने की डिमांड 23-24 नवंबर 2001 में दिल्ली में हुई एक वर्कशॉप के दौरान उठी थी। इसके बाद मामला ठंडा पड़ गया। 12 मार्च को जब जापान में भूकंप आया तो यमुना जियो अभियान के कन्वेनर मनोज मिश्रा ने भी प्रधानमंत्री डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह को लेटर लिखकर भारी जनतबाही से बचाने के लिए रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन बनाने की डिमांड की थी। यमुना जियो अभियान ने अपने लेटर में कहा था कि पूर्वी दिल्ली और नोएडा, ग्रेटर नोएडा और गाजियाबाद में इन दिनों डूब क्षेत्र में बहुमंजिला बिल्डिंगें बनाई जा रही हैं। इनमें 60 मंजिला बिल्डिंग का भी जिक्र किया गया था। एनजीओ ने कहा था कि जब यह एरिया भूकंप की दृष्टि से बेहद संवेदनशील हैं, तब इतनी ऊंची बिल्डिंगों की इजाजत डूब क्षेत्र में देना लोगों की जिंदगी के साथ खिलवाड़ होगा। इस लेटर के बाद दिल्ली में यमुना बचाओ आंदोलन की तरफ से जंतर-मंतर पर धरना प्रदर्शन किया गया। 13 अप्रैल को सेव यमुना मूवमेंट की तरफ से भी यमुना को बचाने के लिए जो डिमांड लेटर दिया गया, इसमें रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन का ड्राफ्ट जल्द से जल्द बनाने की मांग की गई थी। 11 मई को केंद्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्री जयराम रमेश के निर्देश पर रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन एक्ट का ड्राफ्ट बनाने का नोटिफिकेशन जारी कर दिया।
इस नोटिफिकेशन में चेयरमैन जे . एम . मॉस्कर के अलावा अडिशनल सेक्रेटरी मीरा महर्षि , एडवाइजर डॉ . नलिनी भट्ट , महाराष्ट्र सरकार में सेक्रेटरीपर्यावरण मंत्रालय श्रीमति वाल्सा . आर . नायर सिंह , तमिलनाडु से श्रीलयम अंबू , केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के पूर्व वैज्ञानिक आर . सी . त्रिवेदी , जेएनयू केरिटायर्ड प्रफेसर ब्रिज गोपाल , आईआईटी रुड़की के इंजीनियर डॉ . जी . जे . चक्रवर्ती , लीगल एडवाइजर मोहम्मद खान और डॉ . ए . सेंटिलवेल को शामिलकिया गया ह ै।
हिंडन और यमुना समेत देश की सभी नदियों के किनारे बांध क्षेत्र की सीमा के अंदर चल रहे निर्माण कार्यों पर गाज गिर सकती है। केंद्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने गैरसरकारी संगठनों की मांग पर रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन का ड्राफ्ट बनाने की तैयारी शुरू कर दी है। ड्राफ्ट तैयार करने के लिए 10 सदस्यीय एक कमिटी गठित की गई है। पर्यावरण मंत्रालय के विशेष सचिव जे. एम. मॉस्कर इस कमिटी के चेयरमैन बनाए गए हैं। इस कमिटी में पर्यावरण के विशेषज्ञ, वैज्ञानिक और प्रफेसर और एडवोकेट को भी शामिल किया गया है। इस जोन के बन जाने के बाद नदी के रिवर फ्लड प्लेन एरिया को सेफ रखा जा सकेगा। तब नदियों के किनारे बेशकीमती जमीनों के आस-पास प्लान बनाते समय अप्रूवल लेना होगा, इसमें पब्लिक ऑब्जेक्शन भी होगा।
केंद्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्रालय से जुड़े आधिकारिक सूत्रों के हवाले से मिली जानकारी के अनुसार इस कमिटी को लेकर पब्लिक की तरफ से काफी दिनों से डिमांड चल रही थी। हालांकि केंद्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्रालय में सबसे पहले रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन बनाने की डिमांड 23-24 नवंबर 2001 में दिल्ली में हुई एक वर्कशॉप के दौरान उठी थी। इसके बाद मामला ठंडा पड़ गया। 12 मार्च को जब जापान में भूकंप आया तो यमुना जियो अभियान के कन्वेनर मनोज मिश्रा ने भी प्रधानमंत्री डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह को लेटर लिखकर भारी जनतबाही से बचाने के लिए रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन बनाने की डिमांड की थी। यमुना जियो अभियान ने अपने लेटर में कहा था कि पूर्वी दिल्ली और नोएडा, ग्रेटर नोएडा और गाजियाबाद में इन दिनों डूब क्षेत्र में बहुमंजिला बिल्डिंगें बनाई जा रही हैं। इनमें 60 मंजिला बिल्डिंग का भी जिक्र किया गया था। एनजीओ ने कहा था कि जब यह एरिया भूकंप की दृष्टि से बेहद संवेदनशील हैं, तब इतनी ऊंची बिल्डिंगों की इजाजत डूब क्षेत्र में देना लोगों की जिंदगी के साथ खिलवाड़ होगा। इस लेटर के बाद दिल्ली में यमुना बचाओ आंदोलन की तरफ से जंतर-मंतर पर धरना प्रदर्शन किया गया। 13 अप्रैल को सेव यमुना मूवमेंट की तरफ से भी यमुना को बचाने के लिए जो डिमांड लेटर दिया गया, इसमें रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन का ड्राफ्ट जल्द से जल्द बनाने की मांग की गई थी। 11 मई को केंद्रीय वन एवं पर्यावरण मंत्री जयराम रमेश के निर्देश पर रिवर रेग्युलेशन जोन एक्ट का ड्राफ्ट बनाने का नोटिफिकेशन जारी कर दिया।
इस नोटिफिकेशन में चेयरमैन जे . एम . मॉस्कर के अलावा अडिशनल सेक्रेटरी मीरा महर्षि , एडवाइजर डॉ . नलिनी भट्ट , महाराष्ट्र सरकार में सेक्रेटरीपर्यावरण मंत्रालय श्रीमति वाल्सा . आर . नायर सिंह , तमिलनाडु से श्रीलयम अंबू , केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के पूर्व वैज्ञानिक आर . सी . त्रिवेदी , जेएनयू केरिटायर्ड प्रफेसर ब्रिज गोपाल , आईआईटी रुड़की के इंजीनियर डॉ . जी . जे . चक्रवर्ती , लीगल एडवाइजर मोहम्मद खान और डॉ . ए . सेंटिलवेल को शामिलकिया गया ह ै।
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Water shortage in several areas of the Capital (Hindu 18 May 2011)
Glitches at Chandrawal, Haiderpur water treatment plants
Several areas including VIP areas have been facing a water shortfall on account of low production in the city over the past few days. The dip in water supply has been caused by a power-related glitch in the Chandrawal water treatment plant and on account of Haryana withholding some quantum of supply to the Haiderpur water treatment plant.
On Saturday night a two and a half hour power cut at the Chandrawal power plant led to water production being affected. The plant was flooded with water that could not be treated and this in turn led to the breakdown of two 11 MGD pumps.
“Water production had to be scaled down because two pumps were out of action and repair work is on. We are hopeful of getting the plant to work to its full capacity by Wednesday morning,” said an official.
As against 100 MGD, the plant's production over the past few days has come down to 80-83 MGD. The DJB has also initiated action against the employees at the plant for failing to switch off supply coming to the plant from Wazirabad when the fault occurred. “There has been some laxity and we will take the necessary action,” the official said.
The glitch in Chandrawal has left large parts of Central Delhi and the VIP areas served by the New Delhi Municipal Council with water much less than required. “For the past few days now the supply is limited to 10-15 minutes only. The summer heat is unbearable and water shortage makes it even worse,” said Sonia Pandey, a homemaker from Prasad Nagar.
The DJB is also hopeful of getting the production at Haiderpur back to its full capacity. Production at the plant has declined after Haryana had reduced the water supply meant for the city. According to the official, the production has fallen from 226 MGD to 221 MGD. “As of now we are not severely strained on account of this dip, but we are hoping that the full supply will be resumed and we can start production at full capacity,” the official said.
DJB officials said the city's growing demand for water has put a huge strain on the existing WTPs. “Chandrawal for instance, is severely strained. The rise in the number of commercial set ups like hotels and guest houses has been very rapid and the city's infrastructure cannot cope with the unplanned growth. We need to augment the capacity of the plants to be able to meet the requirements of the people.”
Several areas including VIP areas have been facing a water shortfall on account of low production in the city over the past few days. The dip in water supply has been caused by a power-related glitch in the Chandrawal water treatment plant and on account of Haryana withholding some quantum of supply to the Haiderpur water treatment plant.
On Saturday night a two and a half hour power cut at the Chandrawal power plant led to water production being affected. The plant was flooded with water that could not be treated and this in turn led to the breakdown of two 11 MGD pumps.
“Water production had to be scaled down because two pumps were out of action and repair work is on. We are hopeful of getting the plant to work to its full capacity by Wednesday morning,” said an official.
As against 100 MGD, the plant's production over the past few days has come down to 80-83 MGD. The DJB has also initiated action against the employees at the plant for failing to switch off supply coming to the plant from Wazirabad when the fault occurred. “There has been some laxity and we will take the necessary action,” the official said.
The glitch in Chandrawal has left large parts of Central Delhi and the VIP areas served by the New Delhi Municipal Council with water much less than required. “For the past few days now the supply is limited to 10-15 minutes only. The summer heat is unbearable and water shortage makes it even worse,” said Sonia Pandey, a homemaker from Prasad Nagar.
The DJB is also hopeful of getting the production at Haiderpur back to its full capacity. Production at the plant has declined after Haryana had reduced the water supply meant for the city. According to the official, the production has fallen from 226 MGD to 221 MGD. “As of now we are not severely strained on account of this dip, but we are hoping that the full supply will be resumed and we can start production at full capacity,” the official said.
DJB officials said the city's growing demand for water has put a huge strain on the existing WTPs. “Chandrawal for instance, is severely strained. The rise in the number of commercial set ups like hotels and guest houses has been very rapid and the city's infrastructure cannot cope with the unplanned growth. We need to augment the capacity of the plants to be able to meet the requirements of the people.”
Friday, May 13, 2011
Expert panel in offing to monitor riverfront realty growth (Times of India/New Delhi- 13 May 2011)
NEW DELHI: Regulations to govern riverfront development could be in the offing as the environment ministry is setting up an expert group to seek its opinion about it.
There has been rampant development on riverfronts in cities; displacing poor and building expensive real estate. The ministry's moves may come in as a key route to regulate how the rivers are managed in the cities. Now, the rules stipulate only regulation of coastal zone lands under the Environment Protection Act. The same Act can help in formulating other regulations.
In Delhi, the development on the Yamuna's bank – Akshardham Temple and the Commonwealth Games Village —led to litigation and criticism for eating into the poisoned river's natural flow. Besides, the poor had to make way for lucrative real estate.
NGO seeks Prime Minister's help to rid Yamuna bed of encroachers (The Hindu/New Delhi- 13 May 2011)
Staff Reporter
Unwilling to let the Delhi Transport Corporation stake claim to a portion of the river bed and use it for a bus depot, the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, a non-government organisation, has written to the Prime Minister, reiterating the need to rid the floodplain of encroachments.
In the letter, the YJA has supported its claims by drawing attention to the information procured through the Right to Information Act. The NGO pointed out that RTI responses received from DDA show the land was meant for recreational purposes. It also says that DDA has not received any request from the DTC or the Transport Department for identification and allotment of land for shifting of the bus depot currently functioning opposite Indraprastha Park on Ring Road.
The NGO claims there is enough evidence to prove that the portion of land under DTC's occupation is part of the river bed. It has urged the Prime Minister to direct the Delhi Government to remove the temporary bus depot from the river bed.
L-G's order
“Such an act would be in accordance with the directions of the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi who had allowed the temporary occupation only for the duration of the Commonwealth Games-2010 and that too in the light of the security needs of the Games. This act would also be in tune with the directions dated December 3, 2010, of the statutorily created Delhi Urban Arts Commission which had advised the DTC to dismantle its structures and to vacate the river bed. This act would also be in tune with the directions of the Delhi High Court of December 2005 mandating removal of all structures from within 300 m of the river on either side. In pursuance of which order, thousands of jhuggi-jhonpri structures from the river bed have already been removed…” the letter says.
YJA convenor Manoj Misra said there is land available elsewhere in the city for the bus depot but the Government seems reluctant to clear the river bed. “There is enough space at the nearby Mayur Vihar Phase I City Centre where under the Master Plan of Delhi there is already a sprawling space provided for a bus depot, and which was even suggested way back in 2008 to the DTC by DDA.”
He went on to add: “The DDA itself has informed that the land use of the said area, where the depot stands is green (recreation). Also, the site is dangerous as a high-tension line goes right over it and a mishap can result in an avoidable catastrophe. The bus depot is symptomatic of the wrong and poor planning on the part of the DTC and the Public Works Department (that has raised the depot on behalf of DTC). The entry and exit for the buses from the said depot is fraught with danger as any bus entering from the Ashram side into the depot has to cut through the flowing traffic on National Highway 24 while any bus exiting from the depot again has to cut through the normal flow of the traffic on Ring Road to either proceed towards Ashram or take a U-turn under the flyover for going to Rajghat. This fact also points to the wrong and poor planning in identifying this site for the depot,” he said.
“The land was meant for recreational purposes….enough space at Mayur Vihar for the depot”
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