GMDA demolishes 425 illegal sheds, 225 ramps in Gurugram encroachment drive

The drive covered Atul Kataria Chowk to Sheetla Mata road, including sectors 7, 9, 9A, parts of Railway Road and the Rezangla Chowk stretch.

The enforcement wing of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) on Tuesday demolished around 425 illegal sheds, 225 ramps and 50 carts during a drive covering nearly 15 kilometres from Atul Kataria Chowk to Sheetla Mata road, officials said. The drive was still underway in the evening.

The drive covered Atul Kataria Chowk to Sheetla Mata road, including sectors 7, 9, 9A, parts of Railway Road and the Rezangla Chowk stretch. (HT)

The action was carried out following Supreme Court directions issued on August 4 to civic agencies to remove illegal encroachments from roads and public spaces, officials said.

RS Bhath, district town planner, enforcement, GMDA, said teams covered Sector 7, 9, 9A, parts of Railway Road and the Atul Kataria Chowk to Rezangla Chowk stretch. “Illegal access roads in Sector 7 and 9 were closed. In Sector 90, 93, 81 and 86, several illegal boundary walls were also demolished,” he said.

Bhath said teams removed sheds constructed by shop owners and residents, illegal vending structures and encroachments on green belts. “There was some public resistance, but when owners were told about the Supreme Court directions and the problems caused by encroachments on public spaces, they agreed, albeit reluctantly,” he said.

The action followed Supreme Court directions issued on August 4 to civic agencies to remove illegal encroachments from roads and public spaces. (HT)

Satender Kumar, assistant town planner, said several sheds on Sheetla Mata road had been extended 10 feet to 15 feet into public space. “At several places, ramps were constructed very high from the road level and intruded into public space. These were demolished,” he said.

The drive involved 12 field teams, 36 officials and 14 earthmovers. GMDA CEO PC Meena said the cleared stretches would be monitored to prevent re-encroachment and demolition debris would be removed promptly.