Tug of war over a park

With DDA adamant on giving away 1.63 hectares of park land for commercial purposes,
Maya Enclave residents are regretting the loss of leafy environs around them.
When the policy makers become policy breakers, there seems to be no hope for the common man. The residents of Maya Enclave, near Lajwanti Garden, are being confronted with a similar situation.The much talked about development of green area is a sham when the DDA itself is bent upon allotting the land of a park in the heart of the residential colony for the construction of concrete structures.
The park that has a total area of 1.63 hectares is surrounded by SFS flats on three sides. The fourth side opens into woodland. This is the largest park in the colony. Informs O.P. Vaid, chairman, Maya Enclave Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), “At the time of allotment of the flats in 1984, the DDA had earmarked this area for the development of a rose garden and a playground. The DDA then changed the land use and allotted 600 sq yards to Hari Nagar Malayali Association for the development of a community centre, and 500 sq yards for the construction of a Church.
Both the parties have taken possession of land. Land has also been allotted in the same park for the construction of a temple and a post office. DDA has no authority to change the use of land without consulting the residents. Ironically, out of 1070 families residing in the colony, about 8- 10 families are Malayali and the Christian population is less than one per cent. The residents oppose the idea of a post office, as one post office is already located just across the road of the colony.�
The park caters to the whole colony. The residents use the park for organising functions, marriages, festivals and for the purpose of morning walk. This is the only park with a big open ground. V.P. Wasan, a resident at EC-198, says, “I bought a flat here because of the original plan of a rose garden, which was even earmarked in the brochure. Had I known that DDA would make alterations in the plan, I would have purchased a house elsewhere.�
The access to the park is through the main gate of the colony. An apprehensive Vedpal Nijhawan, resident of EB-197, says, “As the flats are under a self-financing scheme, the resident themselves have to pay for the maintenance of the park. We are feeling the pinch. This being a private colony, we also pay for the watchmen. Once the religious structures are constructed, it will be difficult to prevent the movement of outsiders into the colony.�
According to Vaid, in 1987 Maya Enclave RWA had moved a petition before the High Court to remove the unwanted allotment by the DDA. The single judge bench of Delhi High Court granted interim injunction against DDA. The matter came up for hearing before the court in April 2003, wherein the court vacated the stay granted in 1987.
However, the DDA has started the construction of a road in the middle of the park leading to the Church. The members of RWA then approached H.S. Balli, the area MLA, who along with the members of RWA met Vijai Kapur, Delhi LG, and Dharmendra Kumar, commissioner-land. Both have assured to do the needful. But the agitated residents of Maya Enclave have gone to appeal for a second time to the High Court that is listed before a double bench for hearing.
The next date of hearing is October 14. Keeping in mind that once the construction of the structures is complete, it will be impossible to demolish them, the RWA residents are trying their best to get an alternate date to expedite the matter. Now, the destiny of Maya Enclave residents hinges on the decision of the court.