In the last two years, Delhi has gained five new public spaces along the Yamuna floodplains. These include renovated ghats, parks, cafes and walking paths.
As part of the Delhi Development Authority’s plan to improve the 22-km stretch between Wazirabad Barrage and Okhla Barrage, at lest six more public spaces are expected to be built in the next two to three years, according to the sources.
The total area being redeveloped in this stretch is 1660 hectares. So far, 740 hectares have already been developed, including places like Asita East and West, Kalindi Aviral (which has Baansera Park), Vasudev Ghat, Amrut Biodiversity Park, and Yamuna Vatika near Rajghat.
New Riverfront and Parks Coming to Delhi
Delhi is about to get some exciting new projects along the Yamuna River, with the riverfront near Sarai Kale Khan being the most accessible to the public. This will be built at the site of the old Millennium Park Bus Depot. Other new attractions include the Kalindi Biodiversity Park near the DND Flyway, Mayur Nature Park near Nizamuddin Bridge, and a new Eco-tourism area near Rajghat.
Linking The Projects: A Major Challenge For DDA
However, one of the biggest challenges for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is connecting all 11 projects with walkways and cycle tracks. A senior government official said, “The projects are contiguous. The ultimate plan is to link all of them but it is very challenging, not only because several parts of the floodplain are encroached upon but also because other existing projects can come in the way of the linkage. For now, we aim to complete all 11 projects. The linkage will be planned after.”
Focus on Nature and Sustainability
The DDA isn’t just focusing on making these spaces look better. They have also learned from the existing biodiversity park at Wazirabad and are building areas to store water. The agency is planting trees and grasses that are native to Delhi and, in some cases, specific areas along the river.
An official involved with the project said, “The biggest success of the project will be when the natural features that have been incorporated will withstand floods, as they do in sections of the river that run free. The grasses and the plants of the riverine ecology are very different from the plantation in the Ridge area. These plants will not survive in the floodplain.”
Eviction Notices to Floodplain Residents
Meanwhile, the DDA has also started giving eviction notices to people living on the floodplains, including areas around Mayur Vihar, Sarai Kale Khan, and shanties near the DND Flyway.
The National Green Tribunal, the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court have all ordered that no one is allowed to build on the floodplains.
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