HC seeks DDA's response on utilisation of space over drain

The Delhi High Court today sought a response from Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on a plea for proper utilisation of 12,000 sq metre space available due to covering of Shahdara link drain in Mayur Vihar Phase-I here.
A bench of Justices B D Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul asked DDA and Irrigation and Flood Control Department to file before it the detailed plan with regard to possible use of the land.
"Come up with a plan. What are you going to do on the piece of land?," the court said.
It has fixed the PIL for hearing on November 21.
The court was hearing a plea by advocate G L Verma seeking directions to DDA and Irrigation and Flood Control Department to earmark appropriate space for community centre, library and an auditorium for the residents of group housing societies in Mayur Vihar Phase-1.

It also seeks a direction to Irrigation and Flood Control Department to carry out massive plantations in the remaining portion of the Shahadra link drain to prevent effects of poisonous gases and foul smell emanating from the drain.

"The huge space lying abandoned for such a long period of time without watch and ward has now become a vulnerable spot for anti-social and criminal activity posing threat to the security of residents of group housing societies residing within its vicinity," the plea said.
Taking note of plea, the court said "you yourself are saying that there are poisinious gases. How can you ask for a community centre or shopping complex over there if foul and poisionus gases are coming from that area?"

The petition contended that residents, in the absence of a designated place or community centre, are forced to book costly banquet halls situated far from their place.
Earlier a Dilli Haat was to be developed on the same space but the project has been scrapped after opposition by some residents, it said.
The space has been lying vacant for the last four years and most recently the objective of utilizing the space for parking of vehicles also remains elusive.
Verma, in his plea, has also sought a direction to DDA to submit a reasonable time-frame within which the same can be achieved.