Recently, in a significant intervention concerning environmental protection and the shrinking ecological safety of the Yamuna floodplains, the Delhi High Court stepped in to examine whether commercial and religious activities could continue in an ecologically sensitive riverbank zone. The case arose from a dispute over a parking contract near Yamuna Sur Ghat, but during the proceedings, the Court turned its focus toward a larger concern, the increasing human and commercial footprint on protected floodplain land. The Bench scrutinised whether public convenience and religious gatherings could justify continued activity in an environmentally fragile area.
The controversy began when the Petitioner approached the Court seeking restoration of a 2022 tender issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for maintenance of a parking site at Yamuna Sur Ghat. Kumar claimed he had emerged as the highest bidder and had already begun operating the parking facility before the allotment was later withdrawn by authorities in 2025.
The Counsel for the petitioner argued that the cancellation disrupted an ongoing contractual arrangement. However, the Delhi Development Authority opposed the plea, maintaining that the land formed part of the Yamuna floodplains and could not legally be used for commercial purposes. The dispute soon expanded beyond the tender issue, drawing the Court’s attention to the environmental consequences of permitting parking, gatherings and other activities on the river’s sensitive floodplain zone.
Justice Jasmeet Singh adopted a firm stance on environmental preservation, observing that ecological protection must override all forms of commercial or religious use within the floodplain area. The Court stated, “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 further directed the DDA to ensure that no activity, including vehicle parking for devotees visiting the river, takes place on the land. At the same time, the Bench clarified that authorities may create alternate parking arrangements away from the floodplains if required for public convenience.
Consequently, the Court declined to restore the parking tender and left the petitioner free to pursue compensation claims through appropriate civil proceedings.
Case Title: Suresh Kumar Vs. Delhi Development Authority & Anr.
Case No.: W.P.(C) 5894/2026& CM APPL. 28920/2026
Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Jasmeet Singh
Advocate for the Petitioner: Adv. Raghav Saluja, Adv. Daksh Tomar
Advocate for the Respondent: SC Prabhsahay Kaur, Adv. Bir Inder Singh Gurm, Adv. Tushar Sannu, Adv. Pulak Gupta Joshi
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