Areas near Metro stations unclogged in latest drive
Prior to this, the South and North Corporations removed squatters from near AIIMS, Hauz Khas , Peeragarhi and Nangloi Metro Stations.
Continuing their drive against squatters and clearing public land, the civic agencies on Wednesday targeted spaces outside the metro stations, which have become the latest choke points across Delhi.
Following the directions of Supreme Court to clear all encroachments from government land in Delhi, the Special Task Force removed hundreds of temporary and permanent structures near Chirag Delhi, Janakpuri East, Akshardham, New Delhi, Inderlok and Mundka metro stations on fifth day of antiencroachment drive on Wednesday.
Prior to this, the South and North Corporations removed squatters from near AIIMS, Hauz Khas , Peeragarhi and Nangloi Metro Stations.
The STF, comprising civic agencies representatives, Delhi Development Authority, traffic and Delhi Police officials, was formed by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs to control illegal constructions and encroachments in the city.
The action against squatters outside metro stations has come a day after Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal directed authorities concerned to ensure smooth traffic movement around upcoming Chirag Delhi and Greater Kailash II metro stations. He had also asked for barricading of footpaths and earmarking sites on service lanes for parking of autos to avoid traffic congestion.
“Due to heavy footfall at interchange metro stations such as New Delhi and Inderlok, flea vendors are often found near station premises in large numbers. They encroach upon the pavements and service lanes, disrupting the movement of commuters,” said a north corporation official.
The civic agencies on Wednesday also targeted encroachers on 18 busy road stretches. These included Shri Maa Anandmayee Marg in Govindpuri, Najafgarh Road, Dwarka Road, Prem Nath Dogra Marg in RK Puram, Ber Sarai Market, Pushta Road, Noida-Link Road, New Delhi station, Desh Bandhu Gupta Road , Kingsway Camp, Mangolpuri, Rohtak Road and Kirari Road.
Over 200 squatters on pavement and roadsides were removed during the drive carried by anti-encroachment squads from north, south and east Delhi municipal corporations.
Besides, 120 vehicles, including 20 carrying building material, and 18 private vehicles, were seized in Govindpuri and Akshardham area. The civic agencies had deployed 32 trucks and cranes for taking seized goods to the MCD warehouses.
The SDMC launched the drive from Crown Plaza at Maa Anandmai Marg at 11:30 am and till 5pm, the team had demolished 30 temporary auto mechanic shops, fruit vendors and illegal parking stand in Govindpuri.
“We had also seized 20 building material vehicles parked at temporary kiosks in main road. They were parked on the main road, leading to Govindpuri metro station, causing heavy traffic jam here,” said an official from SDMC licensing department.
The squatters blamed the civic agencies and traffic police. “The drive is being carried on the directions of SC and things will be back to what they were after some time,” said Arvind Kumar, a shopkeeper from area.
In north Delhi, the officials started drive at Inderlok Metro Station at 11.30am and removed around 30 squatters. However, most of them were back by late evening.