NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Survey of India (SoI) to utilise drone technology for land surveys, aimed at tackling encroachments in the national capital, an official statement on Friday said.
The initiative looks to address the persistent issue of ambiguity surrounding ownership status of lands held by various government entities. Use of drones will help safeguard these lands from encroachment and prevent unauthorised construction.
During a recent meeting, the L-G reviewed the results of a preliminary drone survey over a 50-square-km area. The trial yielded promising results, with drones capturing high-resolution images which were clearly mapped. In response, L-G Saxena directed that senior officials should have access to these images at their office to allow them to visually monitor infrastructure such as drains, roads, encroachments, and even waste accumulation. This would enable implementation and oversight of corrective actions, the statement noted.
Drone surveys are expected to provide highly accurate data and precise images of targeted areas, facilitating exact boundary demarcations of properties and ensuring more accurate verification of land records, specifically the ‘khasra’ layers.
The aerial images will also aid in identification, mapping, and monitoring of encroachments. By using data elevation models, authorities will also be able to detect vertical encroachments, allowing them to obtain real-time data and act against emerging encroachments.
The MoU outlines the goal of generating geospatial data through survey and mapping activities, which will serve as a foundational resource for integrating data from the DDA, MCD, and other relevant departments. This integration will optimize resource utilization and ensure comprehensive coverage of all areas within their respective jurisdictions.
With this agreement, both DDA and MCD are expected to enhance their ability to identify encroachments, unauthorised constructions, and changes in land use.
Shanties razed in Okhla
Meanwhile, a demolition drive was conducted in a ‘jhuggi jhopdi’ cluster in southeast Delhi’s Okhla Phase II under tight security. Residents expressed frustration, claiming they have lived there for many years and were not given sufficient time to relocate their belongings before the demolition began.
Dheeraj, a local resident, said they received a notice about the demolition just two days prior. “They arrived with bulldozers around 10 am and didn’t give us time to retrieve our things. About 50 shanties are being demolished; we have lived here for years,” he said.
Delhi BJP leaders also opposed the demolition. A group of BJP workers protested against the demolition team when they arrived. BJP accused local MLA Sahiram Pahalwan of negligence, saying the slum dwellers were homeless due to his inaction.