India, July 13 -- The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has operationalised the Lieutenant Governor's directive of adopting zero tolerance towards encroachments by issuing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the functioning of Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) and Quick Response Teams (QRTs). The move aims to strengthen enforcement to protect DDA and government land while preventing unauthorised construction and encroachments across the Capital. The SOP has been framed to facilitate the early detection of unauthorised construction and encroachments, ensure their prompt demolition and removal in accordance with legal provisions, and improve the protection of DDA-owned land. It also provides for the demolition of ongoing unauthorised construction on private land within Development Areas after due legal process. The framework clearly defines the responsibilities of the Land Management, Engineering and Horticulture Departments to improve inter-departmental coordination. Also Read - Vinod Nagar: Constable shoots wife dead on her birthday, flees As part of the enforcement mechanism, 14 Flying Squad Teams have been constituted across the DDA's zones to conduct regular field inspections. These teams will identify unauthorised constructions and encroachments, verify land ownership and status, document violations through geo-tagged photographs carrying date and time stamps, and submit reports for immediate action. Wherever required, demolition will be carried out within 72 hours of detection. The SOP also introduces technology-driven monitoring through drone-based inspections, wherever required, and integrates field verification with the Vacant Land Monitoring System (VLMS). This will enable regular updating of land records, verification of vacant plots after demolition and continuous monitoring to prevent re-encroachment. Four dedicated Quick Response Teams will carry out demolition and removal operations immediately after violations are identified and the requisite legal procedures are completed. They will submit demolition reports with geo-tagged before-and-after photographs, conduct videography wherever required and ensure DDA ownership boards are installed at the site. The revised framework also mandates continuous monitoring of cleared land to prevent fresh encroachments while reinforcing accountability through clearly defined timelines.

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