The Delhi High Court has observed that residential colonies in Zone ‘O’ of the Yamuna floodplains are “completely impermissible” and directed the Centre to urgently decide the fate of 91 unauthorised colonies housing nearly 5–6 lakh residents in the ecologically sensitive area.
A Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said no fresh construction can be allowed in Zone ‘O’, which forms part of the Yamuna floodplains, and asked the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to place its decision before the court on the next date of hearing.
“Insofar as Zone ‘O’ is concerned, the same is part of the Yamuna flood plains. The existence of any residential colonies in Zone ‘O’ would be completely impermissible and would also not be conducive to the environment, as also to the river bed area,” the Bench observed.
The court was hearing a petition on unauthorised constructions and encroachments in Zone ‘O’, where it had earlier flagged rampant illegal construction activity and ambiguity over whether colonies there were protected under the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Act, 2011.
During the hearing, MoHUA Additional Secretary D. Thara appeared virtually to clarify the Centre’s stand.
The Centre informed the court that while 1,511 unauthorised colonies in Delhi were notified for regularisation on an “as-is, where-is” basis on April 8, 2026, colonies located in Zone ‘O’ were excluded from the process.
However, the Centre said temporary protection from punitive action under the Special Provisions Act would continue for unauthorised colonies in Zone ‘O’ until December 31, 2026.
Noting that nearly one lakh houses exist across the 91 colonies, the Bench said a detailed strategy would be required to address the issue. It also directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to ensure that no fresh construction takes place in Zone ‘O’, “even under the garb of repair or renovation”.
The court also took serious note of continuing illegal construction in areas such as Jagatpur Village, Wazirabad Village, Ram Ghat and New Aruna Nagar (Majnu Ka Tila), despite repeated directions.
Referring to photographs submitted by the DDA and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Bench remarked that “right under the supervision of Engineers of the MCD, the unauthorised construction in Zone ‘O’, which is so freshly made, is being carried out”.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 25. Agencies