Residents' fight for a free slip road

For the past eight years, the residents of Hari Nagar Ashram, Friends Colony and neighbouring areas have been forced to drive at least 2-3 kilometres extra to reach the main road and vice-versa.

For the past eight years, the residents of Hari Nagar Ashram, Friends Colony and neighbouring areas have been forced to drive at least 2-3 kilometres extra to reach the main road and vice-versa.

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Reason: An individual has closed a stretch of about 100-metre long service lane with gates on its either sides. Residents claim the lane has been “illegally and forcibly closed” by an individual and it is actually part of public land.

Public Works Department (PWD) officials claim the slip road or the service lane falls in its jurisdiction.

The agency has been doggedly supporting the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), which has been fighting the case in the high court for almost four years now.

"We have done the demarcation of the land that has been encroached upon. According to the revenue records, the lane belongs to us. We would have removed the encroachment had the individual not moved court and obtained a stay order," said a senior PWD official requesting anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

PWD officials said the individual used his might and contacts to keep the gates closed and the moment he realised that the department was contemplating strict action, he moved court and got the stay.

The blocked part of the service lane was used to park private vehicles, said the official.

He also said the records have now been submitted to the court and both the RWA as well as the PWD expect a positive outcome.

Once the demolition is cleared, said officials, a large number of residents would benefit.

"The residents will be able to take a U-turn and reach the main road. They will not have to take a detour and waste time and fuel," the official said.