'High Time To Think What DDA Has Done To Delhi': High Court Expresses Displeasure Over Failure To Beautify District Park

The Delhi High Court has castigated the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for failing to take any time-bound beneficial measures for beautification of a District Park in the national capital, observing there is no proper concrete walking track or multi game courts there. 

“Unhesitatingly, it is manifest that the respondent/DDA does not know what to do with this site in question. Is it not high time that the respondent/DDA must ponder over what they have done to this city in terms of providing recreational activities open to all? How they intend to make Delhi a "smart city"?,” Justice Dharmesh Sharma said.

The court observed people have every right to ask where are the parks and play grounds in Delhi where children from every walks of life could indulge in various recreational and sporting activities, intermingle with individuals from different social and economic backgrounds and not only spend some quality time in various sporting activities, but also bring about peace and harmony.

The court was dealing with a plea moved by a Society challenging DDA's decision declining its request for booking the DDA ground in city's Janakpuri area for celebration of Janamashtami Mohotasav from July 22 to September 03.

DDA's counsel told court that pursuant to the directions passed by a coordinate bench, DDA was enjoined upon to plant trees in the District Park to ensure more green areas around the site.

On the other hand, the counsel appearing for petitioner Society submitted that only an area of 10,000 sq. mts. Was required for holding the Janamashtami Mohotasav, which was permissible as per the relevant rules and regulations.

Allowing the plea, the court set aside DDA's decision and permitted the Society to organize the religious programme, subject to the fulfilment of the prescribed codal formalities.

However, it clarified that the order shall not be construed as a precedent for allowing religious function of such kind or magnitude in the future.

The court said that DDA should rather brace itself for the inevitable demand that will arise for the use of the site in question for other religious and social functions in the near future.

“This Court only hopes that the respondent DDA will sooner or later come out with some meaningful policy decision to dedicate the District Park to the children, allowing them to indulge in various recreational activities including sports for their all-round mental, physical and psychological development, for the betterment of the society and the nation,” it said.

Title: SAHIL VIKLANG SAHAYTARTHA SAMITI & ANR. v. DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 802

Click here to read order