NEW DELHI: After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's recent announcement on sanctioning budget for the construction of roads and drains in unauthorised colonies in the national capital, the Forest Department has hardened its stance on plans to relocate 159 settlements encroaching upon the forest land. The development has irked the department which has been demanding the demolition of all such colonies.
“The rules are very clear in this regard. Encroachment in the forest area will not be allowed and those 159 colonies should be relocated. We have made our case with the Chief Minister. The decision is will be taken by the Delhi government,” said Ishwar Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest and Wildlife. Unauthorised colonies in Delhi have been in existence right from the time the planned development of Delhi started with the setting-up of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in 1957 since the DDA was unable to construct enough low-cost housing and there was large-scale migration from neighbouring states. It is estimated that about 7 lakh families are residing in these unauthorised colonies.
Currently, there are around 1,700 unauthorised colonies in Delhi encroaching upon government land belonging to different agencies. Of this, Southern Ridge, which is around 6,000 hectares, has been encroached upon the most, according to the Forest Department.
Coming down heavily on the authorities, a Supreme Court Bench said in April: “On one hand, you have colonies that are authorised. They have to follow all the norms and bylaws. On the other hand, you have unauthorised colonies, which do not follow any law because of your inaction. Once they (unauthorised colonies) are regularised, you will regularise whatever they have constructed illegally.” The Bench also directed the Centre and DDA to immediately set up a task force to oversee enforcement of laws and ensure removal of encroachments.