DDA carries out anti-encroachment drive, demolishes 23 farmhouses in Sainik Farm

In a major crackdown, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Thursday carried out an anti-encroachment drive, demolishing 23 farmhouses in the affluent Sainik Farm area of south Delhi.

According to the DDA, the action forms part of ongoing efforts to protect “ecological assets” at Tilapth Valley Biodiversity Park and Maidangarhi village. 

“To secure government land and enhance the green area of the biodiversity park by removing unauthorised constructions within the park boundary, a demolition drive was successfully carried out on 9 April 2026 at Tilapth Valley Biodiversity Park, Village Maidangarhi. The operation was conducted by DDA, with the assistance of Delhi Police and the presence of forest officials. Demolition activities were undertaken on land falling under Khasra Nos. 580 (excluding 1150 sq. yd. due to a stay order), 581, 582, 583, 585, 587, 590, 591, 596, 606, 607, 608, and 610 in Village Maidangarhi under Tilapth Valley Biodiversity Park. Approximately 70 per cent of the affected area (about 83 acres) was recovered. Around 12 acres of land, comprising 23 farmhouses, were successfully demolished and cleared,” the DDA said in a statement.

It stated that approximately 3 acres of land, involving 7 farmhouses, located in portions of Khasra Nos. 580 (1150 sq. yd.), 588, 589, and 595, could not be cleared due to active judicial stay orders issued by the High Court.

According to the Resident Welfare Association, the drive targeted two residential plots located on Western Avenue.

“This is a completely illegal action. They came around 5 am and carried out the drive despite us having a stay order from the court. This is a private land, and DDA does not have a clear demarcation of the Khasra number of this plot,” Hardeep Singh Bhalla, president of the Western Avenue Residents’ Welfare Association (WARWA), alleged. 

While the government is talking about regularising unauthorised colonies, the DDA is taking action against the residents in the area, Bhalla said. A police officer said that a government agency had sought the deployment of personnel for the demolition drive.

“An adequate police force was provided to maintain law and order. No protest has been so far,” the officer said.

Barring 69 affluent colonies, including Sainik Farm, the Centre on Tuesday announced a new policy to regularise 1,521 unauthorised colonies based on “as is where is” eligibility criteria, subject to approvals from Delhi Government agencies.

The entire process of in-situ regularisation will be online, and it will involve the revenue department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Earlier, the DDA used to issue conveyance deeds (for government land) or authorisation slips (for private land) to properties in these colonies.