Delhi High Court bars commercial, religious activities on Yamuna floodplains

The Delhi High Court recently directed that no religious or commercial activity shall take place in the ecologically sensitive area of the Yamuna floodplains.

Justice Jasmeet Singh passed the order.

“In view of the interest of environmental protection and the area being ecologically sensitive, all types of commercial/religious activities for any purpose whatsoever shall be restricted from the said area,” the Court directed. 

The Court further tasked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) with ensuring the implementation of the order, by restricting such activities at the Yamuna Sur Ghat.

“It is directed that the respondent No. 1/DDA shall ensure that no activity is allowed to take place on the said land, including parking of any vehicle for any kind or for any commercial purpose even if it may be for the convenience of people coming to pay respect/ homage to the river on any auspicious occasion,” the Court directed. 

The Court passed the order on a petition filed by one Suresh Kumar seeking the restoration of a 2022 tender floated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) concerning the maintenance of a parking site situated at the Yamuna Sur Ghat.

The tender was floated pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the DDA and MCD. Suresh Kumar had emerged as the highest bidder for the maintenance work.

He submitted that the physical allotment of the parking sites was handed over to him and work under the tender had begun. However, subsequently the allotment was withdrawn in 2025 by MCD and DDA. 

DDA stated before Court that the said land falls in the Yamuna floodplains and cannot be used for commercial purposes.

The Court proceeded to reject the plea for the restoration of the parking site in the area. It also noted that Kumar had not challenged the cancellation of the tender, adding that plea for compensation over such tender cancellation can be decided in a civil suit instead of a writ petition.

The Court further noted that if devotees visiting the Yamuna to pay homage require a parking spot, the DDA must make alternate parking arrangements without disturbing the ecologically sensitive area of the Yamuna ghat.

“If, in case the respondent No. 1/DDA is of the opinion that parking space is required to be provided to people coming to worship the river on any auspicious occasion, the respondent No. 1/DDA is directed make alternative arrangements accordingly, away from the Yamuna Flood Plains without disturbing the ecologically sensitive area," the April 30 order stated.

Advocates Raghav Saluja and Daksh Tomar appeared for petitioner Suresh Kumar.

Standing Counsel Prabhsahay Kaur with advocate Bir Inder Singh Gurm appeared for DDA. 

Advocates Tushar Sannu and Pulak Gupta Joshi appeared for MCD.

[Read order]