The Delhi High Court has directed the demolition of the Madrasi Camp JJ cluster, located near the old Barapullah bridge, to facilitate the cleaning of the Barapullah drain ahead of the monsoon season. The demolition will begin from June 1, 2025, as ordered by the court on Friday.
A bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet PS Arora emphasised that the timely clearance of the Barapullah drain is critical to prevent severe waterlogging in surrounding areas. “The demolition of the Madrasi Camp shall commence from June 1, 2025. It ought to be done in a systematic manner,” the court stated.
The demolition process had earlier been halted following a high court order on September 10, 2024, after residents filed a petition seeking relief. The court had then granted interim protection to the slum dwellers. However, the current order aligns with directions previously issued to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for removing unauthorised structures along the Yamuna river belt.
While disposing of the slum dwellers’ plea, the court clarified that the residents have no legal right to the land, which is public property, except for the right to rehabilitation under the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015. “The rehabilitation of Madrasi Camp dwellers is also essential for de-clogging the Barapullah drain,” the court said.
The court has issued comprehensive instructions to ensure a smooth and humane transition. Authorities including the DDA, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), and the Public Works Department (PWD) have been directed to hold two allotment camps from May 10 to May 12. During these camps, residents will be given possession letters for flats in Narela and offered loans of ₹1.12 lakh to aid relocation.
Additionally, the court instructed the DDA and DUSIB to ensure all amenities at the Narela flats are ready by May 20, and directed eligible residents to vacate the Madrasi Camp between May 20 and May 31.
To minimise disruption to the education of displaced children, the court also ordered that the children be accommodated in nearby schools in Narela before the start of the new academic year.
Residents, who have lived in the area for nearly 40 years, had petitioned the court to delay eviction until proper rehabilitation measures were implemented, citing their rights under the 2015 policy.
