In a major enforcement action, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation on Monday demolished several illegal structures built along the drains in South Delhi’s Taimoor Nagar, following a Delhi High Court order.
The encroachments, stretching over half a kilometre, had been obstructing the flow of sewage and rainwater, causing chronic waterlogging in the area. The demolition drive began around 9 am with over half a dozen bulldozers deployed on site. It was carried out amid tight security, with personnel from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces ensuring order during the operation. Despite being issued multiple notices by the authorities over the years, the residents had failed to vacate the land. The matter eventually reached the Delhi High Court, which on April 28 directed the authorities to remove all unauthorised constructions to clear the drainage path.
“This Court is of the considered view that the waterlogging witnessed in various parts of Delhi on the said date (May 1 and 2), including in South Delhi, is attributable, at least in part, to the inability of the Taimoor Nagar drain to effectively discharge rainwater downstream due to these obstructions,” the court noted. The bench, comprising Justices Prathiba Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, further ruled that individual encroachers cannot claim rights over public land to the detriment of the wider community. Local residents, however, expressed strong resentment, stating that many families have been residing in the area for 40 to 50 years. Several said they received notice only a few days ago and now have nowhere to go. They urged the government to offer a rehabilitation solution, but officials clarified that the action was undertaken strictly as per the court’s directive.
The demolition is expected to ease the region’s persistent waterlogging issue by restoring the natural flow of the drainage system. However, the incident underscores the growing conflict between urban planning mandates and the lived realities of long-term informal settlements.
