The Hindu : Front Page : Delhi faces major demolition drive from today

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Saturday, Dec 17, 2005

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Delhi faces major demolition drive from today

Staff Reporter

18,000 illegal constructions all over city on hit list; MCD to report to High Court on January 18

NEW DELHI: Acting swiftly on orders issued by the Delhi High Court earlier this week, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Friday announced intensification of its ongoing demolition drive against unauthorised constructions across the Capital from this Saturday.

"In view of the Court's orders we have decided to start the drive by removing over 18,000 illegal constructions, notices regarding which have already been issued. We will also prepare a list of new violations covering residential and commercial establishments across the city and carry out demolitions in a phased manner," announced Municipal Commissioner A. K. Nigam.

The Commissioner held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of all 12 civic zones and directed them to carry out demolitions.

"All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to prepare independent strategies for their respective zones and carry out the drive. They will have to present a status report of the drive being carried out on a daily basis to the Additional Commissioner (Engineering). The entire operation will be video-graphed and the tapes will be presented to the Court," Mr. Nigam announced at a Press conference.

`Spare none'

Urging the public to cooperate with the civic body by removing all unauthorised constructions on their own as the Court had clearly directed the civic body not to spare any illegal structure, Mr. Nigam said: "If people do not want the civic body's demolition squad to visit their properties, they should themselves remove all illegal constructions and then inform their respective MCD zonal offices about the same. This will make our task easier and avoid any unnecessary inconvenience to the public."

According to the Municipal Commissioner, all Deputy Commissioners have been told to pool in their resources and also hire manpower and equipment if necessary to complete the task. "We are ready with our equipment and manpower but we will be requiring police personnel to take control of the law and order situation. I will be writing to Police Commissioner K. K. Paul informing him about the Court's directions and ask him to instruct all his Deputy Commissioners to provide police during demolition drives."

Asked how much time it would take to remove all the illegal structures, Mr. Nigam said it was hard to prescribe a time limit. "Much will depend on availability of the police force. We have to submit the status report to the Court on January 18 and also inform about involvement of MCD officials who connived with residents and allowed them to carry out illegal constructions. A list of such officials is already with the Court."

West zone on top

Giving details about this year's list of illegal constructions, Mr. Nigam said the West Zone was on top with 456 unauthorised constructions followed by Karol Bagh (410), Central (377), Shahdara North (354), Rohini (296), Civil Lines (273), South (211), Najafgarh (169), Shahdara South (148), Sadar Paharganj (124), City (79) and Narela (37).

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