New Delhi: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has introduced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at tackling unauthorised construction and encroachments on DDA-owned land, mandating that such structures be demolished within 72 hours of their detection. The move is part of the agency’s intensified efforts to ensure stricter enforcement against illegal developments and improve public safety across the national capital.
The new SOP was issued shortly after Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu chaired a meeting of the DDA Advisory Council, where he directed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards encroachments in Delhi. The decision comes amid heightened concerns over unauthorised construction following recent incidents, including the collapse of a five-storey building near Saket Metro station in Mehrauli that claimed six lives and a deadly fire at a bed-and-breakfast facility in Hauz Rani that resulted in 23 fatalities.
To strengthen enforcement, the DDA has constituted 14 Flying Squad Teams across its various zones. These teams will conduct routine field inspections to detect illegal construction and encroachments at an early stage. Their responsibilities include verifying land ownership, documenting violations through geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs, and submitting detailed reports to facilitate swift enforcement action.
In addition, four Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been established to carry out demolition and removal operations immediately after violations are identified and the required legal formalities, wherever applicable, are completed. Following each demolition drive, the teams will prepare detailed reports supported by geo-tagged before-and-after photographs, videography where necessary, and installation of DDA ownership boards at the cleared sites to discourage fresh encroachments.
The SOP also incorporates the use of modern technology, including drone-based inspections and integration with the Vacant Land Monitoring System (VLMS). These measures will help update land records, verify the status of vacant plots after demolition, and monitor vulnerable locations to prevent re-encroachment.
The DDA clarified that ongoing unauthorised construction on private land falling within DDA Development Areas will also face demolition after due legal process. The framework further assigns defined responsibilities to the authority’s Land Management, Engineering, and Horticulture departments to enhance coordination, accountability, and timely execution of enforcement measures across Delhi. This new mechanism is expected to significantly strengthen the DDA’s efforts to prevent illegal construction and safeguard planned urban development.
