CityweliveThe Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, has approved a group housing development in Sector B, Pocket-1, Vasant Kunj. Since nearly 80% of the development lies on the morphological ridge of Delhi, the CEC has directed the private builder to ensure the protection of all 23 existing trees within the project boundary.
The developer has also been instructed to plant 250 indigenous trees along the perimeter to create green fencing, and an additional 250 trees along the internal roads. The morphological ridge—characterised by ridge-like terrain and features—receives the same level of protection as other designated ridge areas.
Following the CEC’s approval, the project now awaits final clearance from the Supreme Court.
The CEC received two applications in this matter: one from the private developer supporting the group housing project, and another from a local resident, Rajiv Ranjan, who objected to the development. Ranjan argued that construction should not be permitted as the proposed land falls within the morphological ridge.
Ranjan informed the CEC that out of the total 5,353 square metres of project land, 4,553 square metres lie on the morphological ridge. However, the developer countered this claim, stating that the land does not fall within the ridge area and lacks its defining features.
In a report dated May 14, submitted to the Supreme Court, the CEC confirmed that the majority of the land does indeed fall within the morphological ridge. “The committee conducted a site visit on January 3 and observed that the subject land is flat and surrounded by DDA residential houses,” the report noted. It further stated that 23 trees are currently present on-site—19 of which are healthy and upright, one is a rehabilitated fallen tree, and three are dried out.
The proposed project does not involve the felling or translocation of any trees.
The group housing proposal has received no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the relevant authorities, including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Airports Authority of India, and has secured environmental clearance from both the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee.
“It is recommended that this Court consider allowing the use of 4,553 square metres (0.4553 hectares) of the subject land for the construction of the group housing project, without felling any trees,” the CEC report stated.
However, the CEC reiterated that no tree felling will be permitted and emphasized the protection of all 23 trees on the land. It further directed the developer to create green fencing along the 385-metre boundary by planting 250 indigenous trees, and to plant another 250 indigenous trees along the internal roads.
