Faridabad: A decade on, Air Force allows civic upkeep work within 100 m of station

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Faridabad, July 25

The Air Force authorities have granted the civil administration permission to carry out the maintenance of civic facilities like sewerage and water supply for houses falling within the 100-m radius of the station here. The work had been lying suspended for the past decade in colonies with a population of several thousands.

The official consent came after the matter was taken up by the administration and the MLA from the NIT Assembly segment, Neeraj Sharma, in the past year, seeking permission for the provision of basic infrastructure and maintenance of houses.

“Keeping in view the hygienic conditions, permission of maintenance and creation of civic services like the sewerage and water pipeline within 100 metres of the station is allowed,” says the letter written by the Air Force authorities to the office of the Deputy Commissioner on July 19. However, it adds that permission is limited to the work that is carried out under the surface (underground) only. The district authorities have been requested to ensure that “no unauthorised construction is carried out in contravention of the judicial injunction”.

The construction and repair work remained halted since 2014 following a stay by the high court on such activities within 100 metres of the Air Force station, reveal sources.

However, the demand for carrying out the repairs of the dilapidated houses is yet to be given, said the MLA. Describing the permission as a victory after a long struggle, he said the authorities should also allow the repair of the dilapidated houses that pose a risk to the lives of residents. The state government had permitted registration, mutation and release of power connections to houses that had come up prior to 2012, and no ban had been imposed on the repair of the old structures, he added.

Birender Kardam, Chief Engineer, said the work would be carried out as per the directions of the government.

‘Allow work in dilapidated houses’

Describing the permission as a victory after a long struggle, the MLA said the authorities should also allow the repair of dilapidated houses that pose a risk to the lives of residents. The state government had permitted registration, mutation and release of power connections to houses that had come up prior to 2012, and no ban had been imposed on the repair of old structures, he said.