Basic amenities in new legal colonies an uphill task

A day after the Delhi government announced the regularisation of 917 illegal colonies, the municipal corporations are confused about their roles in the process.

A day after the Delhi government announced the regularisation of 917 illegal colonies, the municipal corporations are confused about their roles in the process.

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The three municipal bodies have to provide basic amenities such as roads, streetlights, drainage and schools, besides sanctioning building plans.

However, layout plans have not been prepared for any of the colonies so far. This means that the municipal corporations cannot sanction plans or build additional facilities.

Annapurna Misra, mayor of the east corporation that has the highest number of unauthorised colonies, said that despite the announcement, colony residents cannot avail loan facilities or buy and sell properties legally right away. “The municipal corporation will also have to provide schools, roads and amenities but the government has not announced any funds. In the absence of any groundwork, what are we supposed to do?” Mishra wondered.

Subhash Arya, leader of the south corporation House, alleged, “This announcement is a political gimmick as elections are round the corner. It will take years before any colony gets proper amenities.” He also said that layout plans contain plot sizes and details of each building in the colony.

The agency has to also identify plots where parks and schools can be built. Arya said that in the absence of sanctioning of building plans, properties in the colonies will continue to face problems in getting power and water connections.

Yogendra Chandolia, Chairman, Standing Committee, north corporation, demanded that the Delhi government notify whether the occupants will be given ownership rights immediately without charging any funds. The government should also regularise all constructions to date, he added.

“As per building bye-laws, almost 40 formalities have to be fulfilled to get a building plan sanctioned. The requirements need to be relaxed for these colonies,” Chandolia said. He also believes that Dikshit’s latest promise will fizzle out like several of her other commitments made before and right after the last assembly elections.