New unauthorised colonies in Delhi to be demolished

NEW DELHI - Properties in new unauthorised colonies and fresh constructions in illegal colonies awaiting regularisation by the government will be demolished, the Delhi cabinet decided Monday.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also warned the officials who allow the unauthorised colonies to come up that from now on deputy commissioners of revenue department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, deputy commissioner of police and police station house Officer of the area concerned will also not be spared.

“We have taken special permission from the lieutenant governor (LG) office to punish these erring officials. Regularisation of around 1,639 unauthorised colonies is under consideration of the government, but no new constructions will be allowed in these areas too, the violation of which will result in demolition,” Revenue Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan told reporters.

The cabinet decision came after it came to the government’s notice that unauthorised colonies are coming up in large numbers. The government has also taken note of recent cases of misuse of agricultural land in Narela and other areas, where some government officials in nexus with builders had sold the plots to some buyers.

“The state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has in Narela registered a first information report (FIR) against some 12 builders and government officials for selling plots to unsuspecting buyers,” Chauhan said.

The minister said at least five-six unauthorised buildings in areas like Narela, Bawana and Burari have already been demolished in the last one week.

Urban Development Minister A.K. Walia said: “The cabinet has taken a serious view of unauthorised construction which is bound to damage planned growth of the city, besides creating hindrance in providing basic amenities.”

“It was also made clear in the cabinet meeting that the officers will not be spared for dereliction in duty. It is time to disseminate a crystal clear message that not even a single new unauthorised colony will be allowed to come up in the capital,” he added.

The LG has already constituted a committee to detect unauthorised constructions and to ensure immediate action against them. “It has also been decided to monitor the situation on regular basis,” Walia said.

According to an official source, a new law on unauthorised colonies is also under “active consideration” of the Delhi government.