MCD sealing drive draws Lalita Park residents’ ire

Violence prevailed in Lalita Park on Wednesday, when residents allegedly manhandled the area councillor during an MCD sealing drive.

Violence prevailed in Lalita Park on Wednesday, when residents allegedly manhandled the area councillor during an MCD sealing drive.

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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to cut the water and electricity supply of all illegal buildings in the area, which invited the wrath of the residents. The civic agency is planning to take action against 683 buildings.

MCD officials sealed portions of 19 buildings in Lalita Park, where a building collapsed last month, killing 72 people. “Only the fourth or fifth floors of buildings, which stood above the permissible height of 15 metres have been targeted,” said a senior MCD official on the condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

However, the drive was marred by violence when a group of residents allegedly manhandled MCD councillor Sohan Lal in a parking lot in Lalita Park.

Police said a case has been registered in connection with the incident. Another group of locals, meanwhile, staged a protest on the busy Vikas Marg, blocking traffic for some time.

The civic agency has asked the owners of 638 buildings in Shahdara South Zone to conduct structural safety checks of their houses and apply for regularisation. Around 19 structures were demolished at Shahdara South Zone. The MCD has swooped into action with renewed vigour following after the Lalita Park incident.