More Structures Brought Down As Efforts To Make Delhi Encroachment-Free Intensify

Following the Supreme Court (SC) orders to remove encroachments from public roads, streets and areas meant for pedestrians, the Special Task Force (STF) formed by the Centre on April 30 removed 475 temporary structures on 30 stretches of roads. These roads are spread across areas including Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, the Janakpuri Metro Station and Dwarka. 

Earlier, the apex court had banned construction in all the unauthorised colonies and had questioned the authorities’ intent of regularising illegal construction. According to an SC orders of April 24, any construction activity, which does not conform with the building bye-laws should not be allowed. 

The SC had also asked the Central Groundwater Board to submit the status of groundwater level in the national capital since 2000 till date. This information is key to assess the impact of rampant commercialisation and illegal construction on civic amenities such as water, electricity, sewage disposal, which has remained constant.

Data suggest there are 1,797 illegal colonies in Delhi where unauthorised construction is rampant, of which 1,218 colonies have been provisionally legalised causing lawlessness in these areas. The Delhi government has promised to regularise these areas and provide amenities but such development is yet to take shape.

Interestingly, the apex court had already passed orders in 2004 not to allow construction in illegal colonies but this was not enforced by civic authorities in the last 14 years, which resulted in mushrooming of illegal construction.

The top court has clearly mentioned that structures which were constructed in violation of building rules and bylaws would not be protected and has ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to demolish such structures.

Delhi HC raps state government

Thwarting the Delhi government’s plan to regularise illegal colonies, the Delhi High Court (HC) on April 24 said that allowing such buildings to remain in place by charging a compounding fee would result in creating a "time bomb". The HC said that there appeared to be a "nexus" between the Delhi government and the corporations with regard to securing the illegal constructions.

Housing Min pitches for redevelopment

Commenting on the state of illegal constructions in Delhi and the number of people affected, Union Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the members of sealing committees did not know the ground realities and should be sympathetic towards people from rural areas who came to cities for employment and economic opportunities. He also mentioned that by 2030, 600 million Indians would be living in urban areas and redevelopment was the key to accommodate this growing population. 

With inputs from Housing News