After NGT rap, DDA to revise redevelopment plan

After facing flak from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for allowing the removal of as many as 450 trees only because the government wants redevelopment of DDA’s Qutab Golf Course at South Delhi’s Lado Sarai, the housing development authority has said to revise the proposed design. The authority has announced to chalk out a fresh plan for ensuring minimum exploitation of the green cover and for this it has roped in a few foreign architects.

Last week, the NGT had issued a notice to the state government, the DDA and the forest department, saying: “Cutting down of trees will have a serious impact on the environment and ecology of the area.” The court had stepped in as the government had allowed removal of trees spreading over 46-acre area asking them to respond before March 13. Environmentalists had also raised their concern over removal of trees in large numbers claiming that the move will destroy the greenery.

Following the criticism, DDA Vice-Chairman Balvinder Kumar has ordered his officials to revise the design of the plan in order to ensure minimum requirement of shifting of trees. 

“For the purpose of revisiting the plan, Kapoor & Associates from Australia having consortium with Thomson Perrett Pty. Ltd are also being consulted. It is expected that they will give their opinion within the next few weeks and the design will then be altered to ensure least disturbance of the green area,” informed an official.

The urban development agency has so far developed 5,050 hectares of green area, which accounts to 60 per cent of the city’s green cover. 

“It has been due to concerted efforts of DDA to protect and preserve not only the green spread of the city but also the bio-heritage that makes Delhi one among the greenest capital cities in India. Development imperatives requiring shifting of trees is done with utmost care and ensuring compulsory plantation. Every year during the rainy season, plantation is done all over Delhi by the DDA,” explained the official.