New Delhi – The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a preliminary probe into allegations of massive irregularities in the lifting and disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste from the Yamuna River floodplain.
According to documents accessed through the Right to Information (RTI) Act and verified by sources, the DDA awarded a contract worth nearly ₹2 crore to five private companies in April 2023 for the removal of debris from the Yamuna floodplain stretch between Wazirabad Barrage and NH-9. The project was supposed to last until March 2024 and aimed at clearing over 26,000 metric tons of waste from the ecologically sensitive area and transporting it to designated Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) C&D waste processing plants.
However, startling discrepancies have emerged following an RTI filed by social activist Anil Vohra. In response to his query, the MCD informed that out of the alleged 26,000 metric tons of debris lifted, only 609 metric tons actually reached any of its C&D waste plants. Even more shockingly, only one of the five companies involved in the contract had delivered waste to the plants—raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the debris disposal claims and the payments made.
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RTI Sparks CBI Action
Following this revelation, Vohra compiled all supporting documents and filed a formal complaint with the CBI. Acting on the complaint, CBI officials recently conducted a raid on Division 10 of DDA’s Garden Department, located in Shakarpur, East Delhi. Several documents were seized during the raid, which may provide insight into how payments were processed and whether due diligence was exercised by DDA officials. Sources say that the initial tender for this massive debris-clearing operation was floated in April 2023. The five companies reportedly submitted bills for debris lifted across various dates over the 12-month period, and DDA’s concerned division cleared payments based solely on these claims—without any concrete verification of delivery to MCD waste plants.
MCD Denies Receiving Full Volume of Waste
In response to the RTI, the MCD clarified that apart from the 609 metric tons deposited by a single company, no other deliveries were recorded at its four designated waste processing plants. It also stated that none of the companies made any payments to the C&D plants for waste processing services—raising suspicions that either the waste was never lifted, or it was illegally dumped elsewhere. The implications of this potential scam are serious. Not only does it involve significant financial loss to the public exchequer, but it also raises environmental concerns. The Yamuna floodplain is a fragile ecological zone, and improper handling of debris could cause lasting damage to the river ecosystem.
DDA and Companies Under the Scanner
With documents seized from the Shakarpur office, the CBI is expected to scrutinize the bills, weighbridge receipts (if any), and internal communication between DDA officials and the contracted companies. The investigation will also focus on whether there was any collusion between contractors and DDA officials to embezzle funds under the guise of debris removal.
CBI officials have not yet made any public statements but have confirmed that a preliminary inquiry has been initiated. If wrongdoing is confirmed, the matter could escalate into a full-fledged criminal case, potentially involving charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Activist Speaks Out
Complainant Anil Vohra said, “This is not just about financial loss. The false claims made in official bills and the lack of verification expose a deep-rooted nexus. I hope the CBI investigation will bring the truth to light and ensure accountability.” He further added that this case reflects a larger problem with public project implementation in Delhi, where oversight mechanisms are often weak, and environmental restoration projects are exploited for personal gain.
What’s Next
As the investigation proceeds, all eyes are on the DDA for its official response. The CBI’s findings could lead to departmental action against errant officials, recovery of funds, blacklisting of defaulting companies, and possibly arrests if criminal intent is established. This incident underscores the importance of transparency and public vigilance in infrastructure and environmental cleanup projects—especially in ecologically sensitive areas like the Yamuna floodplain.
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