NEWS
|
Previous Article | Next Article
Home ministry orders complex in 'Ridge' area
NEW DELHI: The ban on construction activity in the ecologically sensitive
ridge area has not stopped the Union home ministry from going ahead with its
plan to build a residential-cum-office complex for Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in
South Central Aravali Ridge near Mahipalpur.
Despite opposition from residents of Mahipalur village, a 10ft-high boundary
wall came up around the 3,000sqm plot in November 2012. Now, the residents want
Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which allotted the land, to cancel the order.
he matter was reported to the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee,
Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), in January. The committee is
likely to visit the area for the second time soon. "We are enquiring if
the area is part of the ridge. Construction in the ridge area is not allowed.
Once we get all the documents, we will examine the matter," said Bhure
Lal, chairperson of EPCA.
Col Devinder Sehrawat (retd), secretary of Delhi Gramin Samaj and resident
of Mahipalpur, said, "DDA has allotted this land, which belongs to the
gram sabha, to the ministry. It should be used for the welfare of the residents
of Mahipalpur. An environment friendly project should be planned here."
If this complex is allowed, the entire village will be cut-off from Aravali
Biodiversity Park, say residents. "The approach to the park is from Vasant
Vihar (Poorvi Marg gate located about 4km southwest of Moti Bagh) near JNU and
Vasant Kunj malls. We have an old shrine in the park, frequented by Mahipalpur
residents. But as the land around the park has been given to several government
agencies, we have to travel more to go there," said Sehrawat.
DDA had allotted the land in December 2010. Referring to the Delhi high
court order stopping construction activities by Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) near
Naraina in the ridge area, Mahipalpur residents call for a similar action here.
"The high court had clearly said that 'no future construction should take
place in the ridge area'. We have held meetings with the DDA vice-chairman and
met chief minister Sheila Dikshit
in August 2012, but nothing has happened so far," said Sehrawat.
While no forest clearance has been taken for the project, Ravi Agarwal,
member of Ridge Management Board, said, "If the area is in the ridge or
even has its features, the project needs to be examined before it starts. It
has not come before the board so far."
Previous Article | Next Article
|
|