Illegal buildings not to be sealed till '14

In a relief to lakhs of Delhiites haunted by sealing and demolition of their unauthorised residential or commercial properties, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill to provide immunity to such buildings for the next three years.

In a relief to lakhs of Delhiites haunted by sealing and demolition of their unauthorised residential or commercial properties, the Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill to provide immunity to such buildings for the next three years.

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Coming a couple of months ahead of the municipal polls, the NCT of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Bill, 2011, will prevent sealing and demolition of unauthorised structures till December 2014. The existing bill, providing immunity to such structures, is due to lapse on December 31.

Urban development minister Kamal Nath said the bill would end Delhiites "fear psychosis", while giving enough time to policy-makers to thrash out a "visionary" plan for the Capital, keeping in mind the requirements of the next 25 years.

The bill will provide immunity to such properties, which have additional unauthorised constructions, shops/ commercial establishments running from residential areas, high-end boutiques and furniture showrooms in Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Shahpur Jat, Hauz Khas Village, etc. Besides, slums, hospitals, schools and religious institutes that have encroached on public land will be spared demolition.

Over the misdeeds in the functioning of civic agencies, he said the problem occurred because of delay in finalising the master plan.