New Delhi, April 9 In a major crackdown, the DDA carried out an anti-encroachment drive on Thursday, demolishing 23 farmhouses in the affluent Sainik Farm area of south Delhi, officials said.
According to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the action is part of ongoing efforts to protect "ecological assets" at Tilapth Valley Biodiversity Park and Maidangarhi village.
"To secure government land and enhance the green area of the biodiversity park by removing unauthorized constructions within the park boundary. A demolition drive was successfully carried out on April 9, 2026, at Tilapth Valley Biodiversity Park and Maidangarhi village," the DDA said in a statement.
Approximately 70 per cent of the affected area, about 83 acres, was recovered, and around 12 acres of land, comprising 23 farmhouses, were successfully demolished and cleared, the statement added.
"Around three acres of land, involving 7 farmhouses, could not be cleared due to active judicial stay orders issued by the High Court," the statement further said.
According to the Resident Welfare Association, the drive targeted two residential plots located on Western Avenue.
"This is a completely illegal action. They came around 5 am and carried out the drive despite us having a stay order from the court. This is private land, and the DDA does not have a clear demarcation of the Khasra number of this plot," Hardeep Singh Bhalla, president of the Western Avenue Residents' Welfare Association (WARWA), alleged.
While the government is talking about regularising unauthorized colonies, the DDA is taking action against the residents in the area, Bhalla said.
A police officer said that a government agency had sought the deployment of personnel for the demolition drive.
"An adequate police force was provided to maintain law and order. No protest has been so far," the officer said.
The Centre on Tuesday announced a new policy to regularise 1,521 unauthorized colonies based on "as is where is" eligibility criteria, subject to approvals from Delhi government agencies.
The entire process of in-situ regularisation will be online, and it will involve the revenue department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Earlier, the DDA used to issue conveyance deeds (for government land) or authorisation slips (for private land) to properties in these colonies.