The Ridge Management Board (RMB) in Delhi has granted approval to four projects in the city’s Ridge areas, sparking debates regarding environmental conservation and development initiatives.
Notably, the board has given conditional permission to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to divert traffic through two roads passing crucial Ridge segments, with a total area spanning 0.57 hectares. During the recent RMB meeting, it was disclosed that one of the proposed routes traverses a 0.39-hectare region of the southern Ridge, while the other crosses through the morphological Ridge, necessitating a diversion of 0.04 hectares of reserved Ridge forest land. These roads, existing as dirt trails, are earmarked for temporary use to facilitate the construction of the Neb Sarai Metro station, with plans to utilise paving blocks, removable upon project completion.
Additionally, the board sanctioned the construction of underground reservoirs and pipeline installations in Rajendra Nagar, along with the development of a new National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) building in Vasant Vihar. The decisions of the RMB have stirred controversy, echoing past legal confrontations over environmental conservation in Ridge areas. Notably, the Delhi High Court has previously rebuked the forest department for greenlighting construction projects, highlighting concerns over the preservation of the city’s green lungs.
Amidst debates, the RMB emphasised the necessity of balancing development with environmental protection, stipulating conditions for project execution. These conditions include ensuring no encroachments on Ridge territories and mandating the restoration of diverted forest land post-construction. Despite assurances from officials that no trees will be felled for the projects, concerns persist regarding the long-term ecological impact. The proposals, now forwarded to the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for final clearance, underscore the delicate balance between urban development and environmental conservation in the national capital.
The Ridge Management Board, established following a Delhi High Court directive in 1995, serves as the regulatory authority for construction and development activities in Delhi’s Ridge areas, safeguarding the city’s vital geo-morphological Ridge.
