DDA reserves Ramlila grounds for past organisers until September 15

Societies and trusts returning to familiar Ramlila grounds will get priority in DDA’s booking process this year.

Designated open spaces will remain blocked until September 15 for organisations that held Ramlila at the same location at least twice over the past three years. Online booking opened on September 1. The executive engineer concerned will check documentary proof of previous bookings within three working days.

Where there is a dispute over a site, the matter can go to DDA’s grievance redressal committee, headed by its deputy director for institutional land. Local police verification may also be used in disputed cases. If an application is rejected, the site will stay blocked until September 15 before the booking process begins again.

Sites not reserved under this arrangement can be booked through DDA’s website. The standard operating procedure sets out site categories, booking periods, deposits and charges, along with requirements for temporary structures, cleanliness and safety.

DDA said allottees who do not remove tents or other installations within the allotted period could face removal costs, seizure of material, forfeiture of their deposit and blacklisting from future allotments.