Relief for residents as HC halts demolition of Madrasi Camp

Residents of Madrasi Camp near the Old Barapullah Bridge heaved a sigh of relief after the Delhi High Court and Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Atishi issued directives against any demolition in the area.

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‘Residents have a right to rehabilitation’

This is a Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board-notified JJ cluster. Therefore, the residents have a right to rehabilitation before any demolition. — Atishi, AAP leader

On September 5, the PWD had posted an eviction notice in the area, but residents raised concerns about the eviction and their potential relocation. A Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the Delhi Government, the PWD and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in response to a plea from the residents of the JJ cluster in Jangpura challenging the eviction notice.

The court questioned whether the colony was obstructing water flow, noting that if it was, residents might need to vacate to prevent city-wide flooding. However, the Bench assured residents of their right to rehabilitation, stating that they would be relocated to an alternative site if required to leave.

The DDA’s counsel, advocate Prabhsahay Kaur, informed the court that the colony is located on the Barapullah drain and is impeding water flow. The PWD was directed to provide further details, and the authorities were asked to submit status reports within 10 days. The court also ordered a temporary halt to any eviction action, originally scheduled for September 12, giving residents five days to vacate their homes after notices were issued last week.

Hari, a resident of the area, expressed uncertainty about their relocation. “We are not sure about our relocation. Last time, when the authorities wanted us to clear the area for cleaning the drain, they mentioned how many houses would be demolished. However, this time we were not informed,” he said. He added that the residents have lived in the area for over 50 years.

Noting that there are many anomalies in the PWD notice, Atishi also directed the department to refrain from carrying out any demolition in the area. “This is a Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB)-notified JJ cluster. Therefore, the residents have a right to rehabilitation before any demolition. The list of DUSIB-notified clusters clearly shows that the land on which the JJ cluster is located belongs to the Railways, not the PWD,” she said.

Her communication has now been posted on the walls of residents’ homes. She stated that any removal or demolition of the JJ cluster by the PWD is “illegal”. “It is hereby directed that no such demolition is to be carried out by the PWD. If any official of the PWD demolishes the JJ cluster, they would be liable for disciplinary action,” she added.

Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited the area and assured residents that the AAP government would not permit the demolition of their homes. Speaking to the residents, Sisodia accused the BJP of instilling fear across Delhi by using the office of the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) to issue demolition notices.