Demolition drive lands planning dept in hot water with residents

In a crackdown on “illegal” colonies, the District Town Planning Department carried out a demolition drive on Monday at the New Bahadur Chand Colony on the Hansi road.

It razed eight fully constructed and two under-construction houses, a road network, four damp proof courses (DPCs), sewer network and electricity poles, and halted ongoing works.

Four houses were sealed as part of the drive.

The action sparked anger among affected residents, who expressed their frustration, calling the drive unfair. They questioned why authorities did not intervene earlier, when construction had just begun.

“Why were we not informed about this earlier? Now that houses have been constructed, the administration suddenly decides to take action. Where will poor people go if they cannot even dream of building a house?” said an affected person.

“The team members came and started demolishing houses immediately. We pleaded with them, but they did not listen,” another resident said.

Locals alleged selective action — as only a few structures were demolished while many fully built houses were left untouched.

“If this was an illegal colony, then why weren’t all houses here demolished? There are at least 120 houses here. If action had to be taken, why not issue notices earlier and stop work in the beginning itself?” questioned another resident.

District Town Planner Satish Kumar, along with the Duty-Magistrate Naib Tehsildar, a City Police team and staff from his office, carried out the drive using earthmoving machines. Kumar refuted the allegations and said notices had already been served to these people.

Also, an FIR had been registered against the builder for developing the colony, he added. The DTP reiterated that action against illegal colonies and unauthorised constructions would continue across the district, and legal proceedings would be initiated against violators.

He urged people to refrain from constructing buildings in unauthorised colonies, warning that strict action would continue against illegal constructions.