While raising objections to (DIAl) Delhi International Airport limited’s plea to construct a boundary wall around the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport for establishing a line of defence, villagers of Shahabad Mohammadpur in Dwarka said their village would be reduced to a virtual cell. Also, it will result in problems of drainage and will make it difficult for the residents to commute, said villagers.
Notably, the DIAl has moved the Delhi High Court to restrain interference in construction of a boundary wall at IGI airport, saying that the airfield has been perceived as an important target after Pathankot airbase attack in January this year.
In an application before the concerned court, the DIAl has contended that the boundary wall would add another line of defence in the security of IGI airport, which falls under the category of hyper-sensitive airport.
Countering the DIAl's argument on constructing the wall, villagers said they understand the security concerns and there is already boundary wall at the south and north phase of the IGI airport. "The boundary wall area is completely green. Any construction by the DIAl will affect traffic passage and drainage system of the village," said Satyender Solanki, a villager of Shahabad Mohammadpur.
"The DIAl has grabbed the Government's land in the name of security and has gobbled up mandatory green on left side of the National Highway 8 from Gurugram towards Delhi. The DIAl is behaving like a typical property dealer and the argument of second wall on account of security of airport post Pathankot attack is nothing but a farce and without any basis," said a petitioner who filed a case against the DIAl in NGT on the matter.
Meanwhile, the DIAl has alleged that construction work of the wall has been stopped due to violent protests by residents of village Shahbad Mohammadpur, despite the fact that construction is exclusively on the airport land. "It is pertinent to mention that the IGI airport falls under the category of hyper-sensitive airport," it said.
A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal have asked the association, representing the village, and authorities concerned to file their reply to DIAl's application. The bench has fixed the matter for hearing on October 17. It has sought the court's direction to restrain anyone from interfering or obstructing with construction of boundary wall along the operational wall of IGI airport. It has also pleaded with HC to restrain anyone from encroaching on the airport land.