The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to ensure a complete ban on commercial and religious activities at the Yamuna floodplains near Sur Ghat, emphasising that the ecologically sensitive Zone-O area must be strictly protected from any form of encroachment or misuse.

In its order, the court made it clear that no activity of any kind, including the parking of vehicles even for convenience during religious or auspicious occasions, will be permitted on the designated floodplain land. The bench observed that allowing such usage would defeat the environmental purpose of protecting the Yamuna floodplains and ordered that even temporary arrangements linked to gatherings or worship must be prohibited in the area.

The decision came while disposing of a petition filed by Suresh Kumar, who had sought restoration of a parking site at Sur Ghat. The petitioner had earlier been selected as the highest bidder for operating the parking facility following a Notice Inviting Tender issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in 2022, and had deposited security and licence fees to secure the contract.

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However, during the proceedings, it was brought to the court’s attention that discrepancies existed in the allocation of land between agencies. While the DDA had reportedly handed over a smaller parcel of land to the civic body, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had allotted a larger area to the petitioner. Subsequently, the DDA withdrew its permission, and the parking allotment was cancelled in January 2025.

The court declined to restore the petitioner’s parking rights, noting that the challenge raised involved disputed factual questions regarding cancellation validity and compensation, which could not be examined in a writ jurisdiction. It observed that the petitioner was free to pursue appropriate remedies through a civil suit if seeking damages or compensation.

At the same time, the court directed the DDA to ensure that if parking facilities are required for visitors during religious occasions, such arrangements must be made away from the Yamuna floodplains. The bench stressed that any alternative infrastructure must not disturb the ecological balance of the river’s floodplain zone, reinforcing the need for strict environmental compliance in the area.

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