Encroachers build temples on MCG acquired land

Even acquisition of the green belt bordering the Gurgaon-Faridabad road near the Aravallis by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has failed to stop illegal constructions on the land.

Even acquisition of the green belt bordering the Gurgaon-Faridabad road near the Aravallis by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has failed to stop illegal constructions on the land.

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Residents of G block, DLF City-1 which borders the MCG land, have complained that several temples have come up on the stretch.

Despite construction debris being dumped on some spots, the temples’ staff and MCG employees have denied any illegal use of the land.

The temples’ staff claim that all the temples were built well before 2009 — when the Supreme Court had notified all states that no unauthorised construction shall be carried out or permitted in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurudwara in public spaces.

However, saffron flags abound the site, which falls under the MCG’s jurisdiction, indicating that the space is earmarked for temple construction.

The residents have written to the civic body requesting action against the land grab. The DLF City Residents’ Welfare Association reported the encroachment activities to the MCG in 2008 and made successive appeals to the civic body regarding the illegal constructions.

“There are around 12 temples here. The land was grabbed after dumping debris and felling trees,” said Sumeet Goswami, a resident of G Block, DLF City Phase-1. “We had suggested to the MCG that we will build a gabion wall to retain the earth and maintain it. The land can be used for rain water harvesting and for walking,” said Goswami.Asked about the encroachment, MCG joint commissioner Anju Choudhary said that all temples on the land have been regularlised. “We demolish any new structure on the land,” she said.