[Resolved]  Land — unauthorized encroachment and plotting on government land

Address:

South Delhi, Delhi

Unauthorized encrochment and ploting on government land in mehrauli (ward no.2 near gadwal colony) but no action taken by ur department (complaining from last 18 months)

News wrote by TIMES OF INDIA
Govt stuck in red tape as mafia usurps land
Risha Chitlangia, TNN | Oct 22, 2012, 01.24AM IST
NEW DELHI: Taking advantage of slackness on the part of the government agencies, land sharks have encroached upon nearly 1.5 acres of government land near Gadhwal Colony in Mehrauli. People have been complaining about it; but instead of taking immediate action to reclaim the land, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Development Authority and Delhi Police are caught in red tape.

While the Delhi government has decided to construct a community centre on this land, themafia has constructed a boundary wall and started plotting of the land. Almost a year after Mehrauli Van Bachao Samiti—a group of locals who are fighting against encroachment—filed a complaint in this regard, the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took action to remove encroachment in March 2012. "The civic agency demolished the boundary wall, but didn't clear the area. Within weeks, the builder constructed the boundary wall. He has started plotting of the land," said Ajay Singh, president of Mehrauli Van Bachao Samiti.

The land in question is part of the 37 acres of land that was transferred from DDA to the erstwhile MCD in 1987. DDA officials claim that Gadhwal Colony, an unauthorized colony, came up after the land was transferred to MCD. "We have told South corporation to take action, but they have done nothing," said a DDA official.

Following complaints from Mehrauli Van Bachao Samiti, the South corporation held a meeting with DDA officials in July this to start the paper work to transfer this land back to DDA so that a community centre can be constructed here.

"This is government land. As South corporation can't develop this land, I have directed DDA to take over the land. I have also directed the area SHO to ensure that there is no encroachment," said Yoganand Shastri, Delhi Assembly speaker and MLA from Mehrauli. He had held a meeting on October 17 to discuss the issue. Sources say that a meeting in this regard was also held in the Union urban development ministry in September.

Residents of Gadhwal Colony say there is no civic facility like parking, school and community centre available in the area. The nearest community centre is in Chhattarpur. "We have been deprived of the basic civic facilities. This piece of land can be used for community service. But the government is not interested in saving its own land. We have been following this matter for the past one-and-a-half years. Though they agree that it is government land, both agencies are struck in bureaucratic process. Once construction work starts on this land, it will be difficult to take action," said Surender Singh, vice-president of Mehrauli Van Bachao Samiti.

As the land was transferred to the erstwhile MCD, it is South corporation's responsibility to remove the encroachment. Sources say that DDA wants South corporation to remove encroachment before handing over the land, but South corporation has not been able to do it.

"We had a joint inspection with DDA on September 26 and it was decided that DDA and South corporation will take joint action; but it will be done after the festive season, as we need police protection," said Mukesh Yadav, director press and information, South corporation.

Despite repeated requests to get information regarding the issue, DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar could not get it.