https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Section 29 Invokes Again: Delhi LG Saxena Grants Special Exemption for Tree Officer to Review Kasturba Nagar GPRA Project Affecting 856 Trees

Fourth Instance in June of Delhi LG Invoking Section 29 of DPTA for Large-Scale Government Projects
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: In a move that has sparked both administrative momentum and environmental concern, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has invoked Section 29 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, to provide a special area exemption for the upcoming General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) project in Kasturba Nagar Phase-II. The exemption allows the tree officer to assess a total of 8.9 hectares of land, significantly above the usual one-hectare threshold, where 856 trees are potentially affected.

The gazette notification, issued on June 13 and made public on Sunday, states that the decision has been taken “in public interest”, enabling the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to formally apply for permission to either fell or transplant trees – though this exemption does not grant any direct approval for such actions.

“This notification… shall not be considered as permission for transplantation/felling of trees,” it clearly notes.

Under normal provisions of Section 9(3) of the DPTA, tree officers can only review applications concerning land areas of up to one hectare. The latest exemption, granted under Section 29, expands that limit in order to fast-track critical infrastructure development.

Tree Officer Now Empowered to Review Larger Application
With the exemption in place, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (South Division), designated as the tree officer for this case, will now scrutinize the CPWD’s application under standard protocols. The officer is required to apply due diligence, minimize tree loss, and ensure compliance with Delhi Preservation of Trees Rules, 1996, and any applicable court orders.

Part of a Broader Redevelopment Plan
The Kasturba Nagar GPRA redevelopment falls under the Centre’s broader plan to revamp seven GPRA colonies in South Delhi. CPWD is managing four of these projects – two of which, Mohammadpur and Thyagraj Nagar, are already complete. Kasturba Nagar and Srinivaspuri are currently under construction.

  • Phase 2 of Kasturba Nagar will include:
  • 3,500+ housing units
  • An anganwadi, coaching centre, banquet hall
  • Podium parking and 25 residential towers
  • Convenience shops

Pattern of Large-Scale Exemptions in June
This is the fourth such exemption issued by LG Saxena in recent weeks. Others include

  • 115.88 hectares at New Delhi Railway Station redevelopment (887 trees)
  • 5.037 hectares at the Common Central Secretariat (476 trees)
  • 2.16 hectares at Nand Nagri–Gagan Cinema flyover site (27 trees)

Opposition Reacts: “Environmental Disaster”
The decision has drawn criticism from environmentalists and opposition leaders. Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav labeled it an “environmental disaster”, warning:

“The soul of Delhi resides in its slums, and its breath comes from its trees. If both are destroyed, Delhi will face an existential crisis.”

Despite the pushback, officials maintain that due process will be followed and no tree will be felled without a thorough review.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Former IAS Officer & Now Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju
Former IAS Officer and Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju Demands Inquiry into Punjab IAS & IPS Officers’ Alleged Misconduct
bureaucracy news
NPPA Director ICAS Richa Pandey’s Term Ends Early; IAS Kalpashree K R Appointed as Joint Secretary (Vigilance) in Andhra Pradesh
Fake IAS Saurabh Tripathi
Photos with CM, Governor Reveal Lucknow’s Fake IAS Officer Saurabh Tripathi’s Lavish Life Using Forged IDs and Beacon-Fitted Cars
IFS Officer Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa
Vietnam Gets New Indian Envoy: IFS Officer Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa Appointed Ambassador | Career Insights
Profile P
Leadership Change in Meghalaya: CS Donald Wahlang to Retire Sept 30; IAS Shakil P. Ahammed Tipped as Successor
Ex-IRS Officer Ganapati Bhat
Impeachment Probe: Ex-IRS Officer Ganapati Bhat Appointed to Committee Investigating Justice Varma
Prabodh Saxena IAS
Himachal Pradesh Chief Secy Prabodh Saxena’s Service Extension Limited to 6 Months by Union Govt Amid Corruption Case, High Court Informed
DRDO MSMEs Defence
DRDO Conclave Empowers MSMEs to Strengthen Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
Decoding Digital Dangers: Insights from IPS Shikha Goel on Cyber Crimes
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
Managing Elections, Communal Tensions, and Public Safety – Meet IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
Social Media
IAS Sakshi Sawhney Amritsar DC
Punjab Floods: IAS Sakshi Sawhney’s Emotional Appeal to Elderly Man Wins Hearts, Video of Humanity Goes Viral
Viral Video Captures Emotional Moment as Amritsar DC Shows Sensitivity and Courage Amid Relief Effor...
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Pilibhit Primary school
Transforming Education in UP’s Pilibhit: How This IAS Officer Changed 90,000+ Kids’ Lives
Former IAS Officer & Now Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju
Former IAS Officer and Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju Demands Inquiry into Punjab IAS & IPS Officers’ Alleged Misconduct
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT