NEW DELHI: Demolition squads of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Friday failed to demolish four unauthorised commercial properties on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road after residents of adjoining village gathered at the spot to protest against the move. Despite being accompanied by police personnel, the squad did not target these properties in the morning fearing violent protests, only to return in the evening to seal them.

After demolishing two famous fashion malls of the area -- MG 1 and MG 2 -- during the past week, the demolition squad reached the area in the morning to target four illegal commercial properties including big showrooms. But soon a large number of villagers and workers employed in the nearby shops gathered in the area. Some villagers were even carrying lathis who threatened to resort to violence if any demolition exercise was initiated in the area.

Though the MCD squad was accompanied by police, fearing resistance from villagers, the demolition squad left the area. However, after the protestors dispersed, a handful of civic office officials again reached the spot after 5 p.m. and sealed the four properties. Fearing crowd build-up, the officials again immediately left the spot. "We did not take action in the afternoon as the situation could have turned volatile. We have identified other unauthorised properties in the area also and will soon take action against them," said a senior MCD South zone official.

The MCD also sealed four ongoing constructions in East Patel Nagar and one in West Patel Nagar besides clearing encroachments from government land and roadside in Jangpura area during its ongoing demolition drive across the city. Action was taken in all the 12 civic zones except City zone where no action could be taken due to non-availability of police force.

The areas covered on Friday included Defence Colony, Model Town, New Rajender Nagar, Bawana, Mahipalpur, Ashok Vihar, Janakpuri, Paschim Vihar, Guru Nanakpura, Uttam Nagar, Milap Nagar, Kirti Nagar, New Jaffrabad and Welcome Colony. A total of 27 properties were targeted -- 20 residential and seven commercial. Demolition squads razed three residential and one commercial property, while nine residential and six commercial properties were partly demolished. So far, the MCD has taken action against 1,182 unauthorised properties of which 489 are residential and 693 commercial, while 199 properties have been sealed.

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