Yamuna floodplain under scanner: DDA to finish O-zone drone survey in 2 months

  • April 22, 2026, 4:35 p.m.

New Delhi: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it will complete a drone-based survey of the Yamuna floodplain’s ‘O zone’ within two months, in a move aimed at strengthening environmental monitoring and identifying violations in the ecologically sensitive stretch.

The submission comes as part of ongoing proceedings before the tribunal, which has been closely monitoring the condition of the Yamuna River floodplain, particularly the ‘O zone’, an area designated for environmental protection. The zone has repeatedly come under scrutiny due to concerns over encroachments, unauthorised construction, and ecological degradation.

Officials said the proposed drone survey will provide high-resolution spatial mapping of the entire floodplain area, enabling authorities to detect illegal structures, assess land-use changes, and verify compliance with environmental regulations. The exercise is also expected to help build a comprehensive and updated digital database of the floodplain, which has long suffered from fragmented records and weak enforcement.

The DDA informed the tribunal that the two-month timeline applies strictly to the completion of aerial data collection using drones, while additional time will be needed for processing, analysis, and preparation of a detailed report before it is submitted to the NGT for further directions.

The tribunal had earlier emphasised the need for a scientific and technology-driven assessment of the floodplain to ensure accurate identification of violations and to support restoration efforts. The drone-based approach is intended to improve precision in mapping and reduce gaps in ground-level inspection.

The initiative is part of broader efforts by authorities to protect and rejuvenate the Yamuna floodplain ecosystem, which has been under pressure due to rapid urbanisation, pollution, illegal settlements, and unregulated development activities over the years.

Officials noted that the findings from the survey are expected to play a key role in future policy decisions, enforcement actions against encroachments, and long-term ecological planning for the river corridor in the national capital.

The exercise is also being seen as a step toward strengthening environmental governance through the use of advanced geospatial and drone technology, ensuring more transparent and effective monitoring of sensitive ecological zones.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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