India, June 1 -- Authorities on Sunday began demolishing 143 unauthorised structures in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh area to remove encroachments from land earmarked for a road-widening project, following directions upheld by the Supreme Court. The demolition drive was launched in Haiderpur village, where the structures were found within the designated right of way of the proposed Road No. 320 corridor connecting the Shalimar Bagh Railway Under Bridge with the Outer Ring Road. Backed by a pre-dawn police deployment and extensive security arrangements, the area was turned into a virtual fortress as officials carried out the court-mandated exercise. Senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police, were present at the site to oversee security and maintain law and order. Also Read - Saket building collapse: Rescue operation in final stage; FIR lodged, owner at large According to district authorities, the action follows the Supreme Court's dismissal of a Special Leave Petition challenging the project. The apex court upheld an earlier Delhi High Court ruling that had rejected pleas seeking to halt the demolition and declare decades-old land acquisition proceedings invalid. District Magistrate S S Parihar said the land forms part of an acquired government parcel designated as a public road under the Delhi Development Authority's Master Plan. The project is aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity between Shalimar Bagh, Azadpur, Ring Road and adjoining residential and commercial areas. Officials said a joint survey conducted by the Delhi Development Authority, Revenue Department, Land and Building Department and Public Works Department in January identified 143 permanent unauthorised structures within the right of way. While the approved corridor width is 30 metres, the current phase targets approximately 10.5 metres of encroached land required for the project. Also Read - Drastic drop in temperatures keeps Capital cool; AQI 'satisfactory' at 98 The administration said the land acquisition process was initiated through notifications issued in 1959 and 1961, with awards announced in 1980. Possession of the land was taken in July 1980 and compensation was deposited by 1981. Residents had approached the Delhi High Court, arguing that the acquisition had lapsed under provisions of the 2013 land acquisition law. However, the court ruled that the acquisition remained valid and held that the petitioners had failed to establish pre-acquisition ownership rights. A review petition was subsequently dismissed before the matter reached the Supreme Court. Also Read - Average AQI between Jan-May '26 lowest in eight years barring 2020 Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Akanksha Yadav said the encroachments on government land were being removed in a phased and systematic manner in compliance with Supreme Court directions and that the demolition drive was progressing as planned. To ensure the smooth conduct of the operation, Delhi Police personnel were deployed along with 10 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, including the Rapid Action Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force. Authorities also undertook drone surveillance, videography and social media monitoring, with all designated sectors placed under close watch. Police said the demolition drive remained peaceful, with no major law-and-order issues reported. The Delhi government announced Rs 3 lakh ex gratia assistance and temporary accommodation for eligible families, while officials said the exercise would continue until all encroachments are removed.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.