NEW DELHI: Days after the Satya Niketan building collapse, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday launched a demolition drive against unauthorised structures in Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar following Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s directive for strict action against illegal construction, including the use of bulldozers.The action, however, drew allegations from local residents who claimed that enforcement was selective, with similar multi-storey structures allegedly continuing to operate in the area without facing comparable action.
MCD cracks down on illegal structures
MCD targets unauthorised construction
The crackdown followed Gupta’s direction to the MCD on Wednesday to take strict action against illegal construction across Delhi, including demolition of unauthorised structures.An MCD official said the properties being targeted had already been booked for unauthorised construction.“This property is booked under ‘unauthorised construction’. We are initiating demolition action against it. They have plans for a ground floor plus four floors. But they have constructed an extra portion on top. We gave them a notice. Now we are demolishing this building completely. There may be one or two more buildings here that we have booked.”The MCD official said similar action could also be taken against other buildings that had been booked for violations.
Demolition of the building adjacent to the collapsed PG building
Residents allege selective demolition
Residents in the area alleged that several multi-storey buildings had come up despite allegedly violating construction norms and questioned why action was being concentrated on certain properties.Resident Ronit Sohan alleged that several six-storey buildings had been constructed in the area and accused builders and MCD officials of corruption.He said poorer residents were being affected by demolition drives while allegedly illegal structures continued to exist elsewhere.“We are poor people. Our houses had been demolished earlier, and they are demolishing them now as well,” Sohan said.He further alleged that residents were being asked for bribes and claimed that even when they approached police to lodge complaints, they were asked for money.Sohan also alleged that numerous six-storey buildings had been constructed in Pandav Nagar by builders but claimed no action was being taken against them.Another resident, Sunita, similarly alleged that illegal construction was widespread but enforcement action was being concentrated on certain residents.“Everybody is doing illegal construction, but action is only taken against us,” she said, adding that residents allegedly faced demands for money when approaching authorities for action.
CM orders inspections of Delhi PGs
The demolition drive comes after Gupta ordered strict and comprehensive action following the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven, injured many.The chief minister directed the MCD to carry out demolition action in several parts of Delhi and instructed senior civic officials to remain present on the ground during the exercise, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.Gupta also directed officials to conduct intensive inspections of all paying guest (PG) hostels across Delhi and take action against illegal construction found on their premises.“Conduct intensive inspections of all PG hostels in Delhi and take action against illegal construction,” the chief minister said.The directions are part of a wider crackdown on unsafe and unauthorised structures in the capital following the Satya Niketan tragedy.(With ANI inputs)
