Policemen busy at Surajkund mela, razing illegal constructions delayed

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, February 8

Action against as many as 42 unauthorised constructions in the NIT area of the city is expected to be taken after the conclusion of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela on February 16.

As the last date of the notice served by Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) expired on Friday, the authorities have deferred the demolition in view of the unavailability of the police force, it is learnt.

The move comes in the wake of a contempt petition by a local resident in 2012 in which he had alleged failure of the authorities to take action despite a court order.

Sources in the civic body claimed that though the notice period given to the occupants or owners of the illegal buildings has expired, the authorities are not likely to take any action for at least a week, which also coincides with the conclusion of the mela, where the majority of the police force has been engaged at present.

The drive requires adequate police force and it will not be available before February 16, it is claimed.

Ombir Singh, Executive Engineer, MCF, said that action in response to the petition is likely to be taken after a week, adding that availability of police force is a must for maintaining law and order during such an action.

“The MCF will either seal or demolish the illegal constructions if the owners fail to remove those on their own by then,” he said.

The MCF had recently served notices to the constructions which have come up in the localities of NH (Nation Huts)-1, NH-II, NH-III and NH-V of the NIT area here. Those include houses, shops, floors and showrooms, it is claimed. Krishan Lal Gera, a local resident, had filed a petition in the High Court in 2012 (3490/2012) charging the MCF of failure in curbing illegal constructions in these areas despite court directions. The Commissioner, MCF, at that time had been made a respondent, it is learnt. The next hearing is on February 25, it is reported.