Delhi's Ridge-Yamuna Connector: Green Future Unveiled

Delhi's proposed Master Plan for 2047 (MPD-2047) outlines the development of a 200-kilometer Ridge-Yamuna Park Connector. This ambitious project seeks to create a unified system of green and recreational areas, linking the city's Ridge to the Yamuna river and its floodplains. The plan emphasizes promoting walking and cycling, with a dedicated 52-km cycling network along the river's floodplain.

The MPD-2047, approved by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on August 12, 2026, includes proposals for 75-100 meter wide public greenways along river embankments where feasible. These greenways are designed to feature walking and cycling trails, alongside spaces for passive recreation, enhancing public access to the river and adjacent green spaces. The park connector is envisioned as an extensive network of ecological and public spaces.

Alongside the connector, the plan mandates broader ecological restoration for the 22-km stretch of the Yamuna between Wazirabad and Okhla barrages. This includes 13 major restoration projects spanning approximately 1,700 hectares of the floodplain. These projects focus on revitalizing wetlands, natural depressions, and biodiversity, while also improving climate resilience and groundwater recharge.

Proposed restoration efforts include de-silting wetlands, deepening natural depressions for floodwater storage, and planting native riverine species for floodplain forests and grasslands. A green buffer of riverine vegetation is also planned along the river's edge to protect banks and enhance the floodplain's ecological health. The plan supports non-motorised movement, aligning with DDA's separate cycling corridor project.

Environmental experts have cautioned that recreational infrastructure on floodplains must remain compatible with flood-storage functions. Concerns have been raised about potential negative impacts from construction and increased activities in sensitive areas. Ensuring proper implementation is crucial, particularly in balancing public access and cycling infrastructure with the floodplain's natural water absorption capacity and landscape integrity.