NEW DELHI: Conceding that illegal constructions were continuing at the posh Sainik Farms in South Delhi, Municipal Commissioner A. K. Nigam on Thursday said that in a recent drive they had targeted at least 14 properties where illegal and unauthorised constructions had come up, and announced new measures to check such activities in the area.

Submitting the Action Taken Report against unauthorised constructions at Sainik Farms at the MCD Standing Committee meeting, Mr. Nigam said that though the High Court in its order in 2001 had banned all construction activities at Sainik Farms that had illegally come up on farm land, illegal construction activities had continued and the civic body had taken action against them at regular intervals.

"I am also in contact with the zone's Deputy Commissioner and concerted efforts are being made to check illegal construction in the area," he added.

Stating that in its order the High Court had asked the Delhi police and the MCD to man all five entry points so that no construction material was allowed inside the posh locality, Mr. Nigam said that despite this illegal construction had continued in the area.

"Over the years, new entry points have come up, while residents even carry construction material in their cars and other vehicles, which is very difficult to check. But now arrangements are being made to man these new entry points also," the Municipal Commissioner added.

Another reason behind the unabated illegal construction activities was the presence of 10-15 feet high boundary walls around each farmhouse. "These high boundary walls make detection of illegal construction activities very difficult.

But now it has been decided that no property can have a boundary wall more than five feet high, as is the norm in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area.

However, owners can put barbed wire fencing over the boundary wall if necessary for security reasons, but it should in no way hinder the view of inside the premises," Mr. Nigam informed.

Meeting

However, Leader of the House Jitender Kochar, who had raised the issue at the last meeting, said that apart from local MCD officials and field staff, Court Commissioners should also be blamed for any illegal construction activity going on in the Capital.

MCD Standing Committee Chairman J. K. Sharma asked Mr. Nigam to immediately fix responsibility for dereliction of duty and take strict action guilty officials.

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