Lt Governor VK Saxena Orders Drone Survey for Anti-Encroachment Drive Across Delhi

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sardar T.S. Sandhu has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to adopt a "zero-tolerance" approach towards encroachments across the national capital, instructing the agency to deploy drones and real-time monitoring technology to detect unauthorized occupation of public land and illegal construction. The directions were issued during a meeting of the DDA's Advisory Council, where the Lieutenant Governor reviewed urban development and enforcement measures across Delhi.

During the meeting, the LG emphasized the need to leverage technology for continuous monitoring of land parcels and buildings so that unauthorized occupation or construction can be identified and acted upon without delay. Officials informed the council that the DDA's Land Management Department has deployed 14 Flying Squads, supported by daily field inspections conducted by survey teams, to safeguard government land from encroachment.

The DDA reported significant progress in its enforcement efforts since April 2025. According to officials, demolition drives have helped reclaim 241.51 acres of government land, while an additional 235.96 acres in development areas have been cleared of illegal constructions. These measures form part of a broader campaign aimed at protecting public land and preventing fresh encroachments across the city.

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Officials also briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the ongoing drone survey being conducted jointly by the DDA, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Survey of India. The survey covers the entire National Capital Territory spanning approximately 1,370 square kilometres, with more than 1,122 square kilometres already mapped. The survey of the entire O-Zone has also been completed. In parallel, the DDA's Vacant Land Management System is geo-tagging more than 3,700 land parcels covering nearly 21,773 acres, using periodic photographic monitoring to detect unauthorized occupation.

The meeting also reviewed enforcement against unauthorized construction across the capital. The DDA has launched a special drive to identify deviations from approved building plans through dedicated inspection teams. The Lieutenant Governor directed strict action against major violations, including the de-empanelment and blacklisting of architects found responsible for serious breaches. He also instructed officials to report unsafe or dilapidated buildings to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for appropriate action, while directing Flying Squads and Quick Response Teams to identify and remove illegal constructions in Delhi's Land Pooling Areas.

The DDA, which serves as Delhi's principal land-owning and planning authority, manages thousands of acres of public land across the city. Officials said the expanded use of drones, geo-tagging, and digital monitoring systems is intended to strengthen enforcement capabilities, enable quicker detection of encroachments, and support long-term protection of public land through technology-driven surveillance.

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