New Delhi, Dec. 31 -- The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to vacate the Yamuna floodplain and barred it from occupying the area beyond March 31, 2026.

The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, while hearing a petition alleging that DMRC continued to run batching plants and a casting yard on the floodplain, despite explicit directions issued on December 11 to relocate the facilities.

In an order dated December 22, the court said it was "surprising" that no action was taken regarding the removal of the DMRC's batching plants and casting yard.

It noted that the DMRC had approached the court seeking an extension for the removal activiti...