39-storey building in North Campus: DU seeks Home Minister’s intervention

NEW DELHI: Delhi University's North Campus sought intervention by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh into dispute over a 39-storey building to be constructed in the varsity's North Campus. The Delhi University said that building would violate the 2021 Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) and also compromise the safety of students. The varsity has written a letter to Rajnath Singh. Meanwhile, 228 trees have been felled for the construction of this building.

The land on which the building is set to come up is near Vishwavidyalaya Metro station. As per the petition, the land was bought by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) from the Defence Ministry for Rs 42.4 crore. A part of it was then sold to a private builder for Rs 218 crore.

University officials, who are against this move, say the land was given by the DMRC to a private builder, Young Brother (P) Ltd, for the construction of a residential complex.

“The proposal to construct a multi-storey building in the campus has several underlying irregularities with regards to granting of permission from various agencies. Moreover, the construction will have serious negative implications on the cultural heritage, history, ambi- ence and the unique character of Delhi University,” said a DU official. In an assurance given to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), the private builder had mentioned that 227 trees will be felled and 268 trees will be planted in their place. However, as per the DU officials, the project is being built over the Yamuna River.

“Even DMRC did not dare to go overground while crossing through the North DU Campus but YBL is adamant to construct 39-storey towers to accommodate 410 dwellings which would cause tremendous pressure on the available infrastructure and would result in heavy thoroughfare in this preserved integrated campus,” a DU official said.

Moreover, the land falls in a seismic zone. The construction will hamper the movement of disabled students who use the Chattra Marg. Since the project is being made near the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station, it will hamper traffic, with col

leges around the station as well as a medical institute (Val

labbhai Patel Chest Institute). “The decision of DDA seems to have been taken in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner as the YBL has certain privileges attached to it as a builder,” said a source at DU. He also added that it is a fight between the real estate business and heritage of DU. “We feel our environment and culture is being pillaged/ encroached upon by a private builder, Young Brother (P) Ltd,” added the source.

“Now that the five-year lease set to build the project is over, we want that the land be given to Delhi University for safety of our students. If the building is constructed, it will overlook two of our hostels, including a women's hostel. The greatest concern is for students who are visually impaired, and those with locomotor disability. There is so much congestion on that stretch… how will they commute if the building is constructed?” said Bipin Tewari, EOC, OSD.

“We have faith in judiciary and the varsity hopes and urges all the concerned department to look into the matter and get it investigated in the appropriate manner,” Tiwari added.