New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has issued eviction notices to five water sports clubs to vacate “encroached” land near Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant (WTP), members said on Tuesday.
The Delhi Rowing Association represents the five clubs — Vasundhara Rowing Club, BSF Centre Water Sports Club, Sonia Vihar Water Sports Club, Wazirabad Water Sports Club, and the Delhi Rowing Node.
“It is hereby informed that this land, located adjacent to the inlet of the Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant which is currently encroached in the form of temporary structures, is DDA land,” the DDA notice dated May 21 read.
The government body directed the operators to remove the encroachments from the land within three days from the date of the issuance of the letter. However, till Tuesday, no action had been taken by the authority.
According to the members of the Rowing Association, DDA pasted notices outside the premises of the clubs last week. The clubs located near the WTP offer rowing, kayaking and canoeing activities.
“We are the only rowing and water sports club in Delhi-NCR with such facilities. No comparable water body with equivalent infrastructure is accessible to these athletes. Its destruction would leave hundreds of young sportspersons, many from economically underprivileged families, without any path to continued training or competitive careers,” Delhi Rowing Association president Jai Karan Chaudhary said.
The DDA notice warned of “use of force” if the association fails to vacate by the deadline.
The association claimed that the authority had cut power supply to two of the clubs.
It said the “demolition of a functioning, medal-producing water sports facility sends a contradictory and deeply discouraging signal,” at a time when the Centre through its Khelo India initiative has committed to enhancing India’s Olympic medal tally and emphasised the importance of grassroots sports infrastructure.
The Delhi Rowing Association claims to be affiliated to the Rowing Federation of India and Delhi Olympic Association. PTI SSM VN VN
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