Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has suspended an unspecified number of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) employees including the Assistant Engineers (AE) and Junior Engineers (JE), in connection with the re-encroachment of the authority’s land near Pusta Road, from Mayur Vihar Phase-I to NH-24.
The move comes in wake of Saxena ordering immediate suspension of field staff in the matter of alarming re-encroachment of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) land near Pusta Road, Mayur Vihar Phase-I to NH-24. According to a statement issued by Raj Niwas, the suspended personnel include assistant engineers and junior engineers tasked with overseeing the Mayur Nature Park project.
“The staff suspended include the Assistant Engineers (AE) and Junior Engineers (JE), responsible for the Mayur Nature Park project site.An FIR will also be lodged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 198, 223, 316, and 318, as well as Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against the implicated staff,” read the statement.
Raj Niwas stated that a Departmental Inquiry has also been initiated to ensure accountability and facilitate disciplinary measures. Additionally, a thorough investigation will be conducted to explore potential criminal conspiracy involving DDA personnel and external parties, with appropriate actions to follow.
Taking a serious note, Delhi Lieutenant Governor has directed the Authority that in future, in case of any instance of fresh encroachment or re-encroachment of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) land, stringent action, including criminal charges by filing FIR, against officials/ engineers involved, in addition to usual suspension/inquiry will be taken.
“LG has directed the Vice Chairman of the DDA to submit a detailed report on the inquiry and actions taken in response to these directives within seven days for review. The stretch from Mayur Vihar Phase-I to NH-24 is crucial for the restoration and rejuvenation of the River Yamuna floodplain, where the DDA is currently implementing the significant Mayur Nature Park project,” read the statement.
The land in question forms part of the Yamuna floodplain, where the Mayur Nature Park project is being implemented. In June 2024, a successful encroachment removal drive was conducted under the directives of the High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), reclaiming approximately 390 hectares of land. This operation involved the removal of around 6,000 illegal structures, four illegal nurseries, the clearing of 250 hectares of illegal cultivation, and the dismantling of approximately 40 illegal borewells.
Despite these extensive efforts, it came to be noted that DDA officials have permitted re-encroachments, raising serious concerns about potential collusion with external parties. Such negligence not only exposes the DDA to severe criticism from courts and tribunals but also results in significant financial losses to the public exchequer.
