Admn all set to raze Janta Colony today
The largest illegal slum cluster of the city, Janta Colony in Sector 25, will become a thing of the past tomorrow. The UT Estate Office is all set to raze the colony as part of its plans to make the city slum-free.
Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Nishant Kumar Yadav today chaired a meeting of the departments concerned to review preparedness for the demolition drive. It was attended by many senior officials of the Police Department, Administration and the Municipal Corporation (MC).
Nearly 2,500 structures in the slum spread on about 10 acres of prime government land worth about Rs 350 crore will be removed.
To ensure that the demolition is carried out in a systematic, safe and legally compliant manner, the Administration has constituted 10 teams. As part of the security arrangements, 1,500 police personnel will maintain law and order during the drive. Directions have also been issued for the deployment of fire tenders and ambulances at the site, which will remain on standby to address any emergencies or unforeseen situations.
This demolition drive is part of the Administration’s plans of ensuring lawful urban development, reclaiming public land for civic and infrastructural use, and promoting a cleaner and planned city, said the DC.
Recently, the Estate Office had issued a public notice to the dwellers of Janta Colony asking them to vacate the area within one week. Many residents have already removed their belongings. Several inhabitants claimed that they had documents but were not considered eligible under the rehabilitation scheme.
The largest slum of the city is home to over 10,000 people. The land has been earmarked for a dispensary, primary school, community centre and a shopping area.
On April 23, the Estate Office had demolished jhuggis in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Phase I, and reclaimed 6 acres of government land worth Rs 250 crore.
Earlier, the Administration had tried to remove Sanjay Colony and Janta Colony two years ago, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the demolition. The stay was vacated recently.
In 2022, the Administration had demolished Colony No. 4 and reclaimed 65 acres worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore. However, the land still remains vacant. In 2021, the slum dwellers of tin-shed colonies were rehabilitated in Sectors 52 and 56.
The Estate Office had earlier freed around 200 acres after razing Colony No. 5, Mazdoor Colony, Kuldeep Colony, Pandit Colony, Nehru Colony, Ambedkar Colony, Kajheri Colony and Madrasi Colony.
