The Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) has successfully retrieved large chunks of land in sector 45 from land sharks, thanks to the first of its kind drive by the new Huda administrator, Praveen Kumar.
Assisted by a team of officials and police, the administrator took on the mafia head on and demolished hundreds of illegal constructions spread across nearly 25 acres of prime land.
According to a rough estimate, the current market value of the freed land is Rs 300 crore.
"The land mafia was allegedly earning Rs 9-10 lakh per month as rent from these shop owners. The occupants had developed nexus with some officials, locals and the police," said an official.
Since Kumar took charge as the Huda chief, anti-encroachment drives have been a daily affair. Holding a mike in his hand, he warned the encroachers.
"Leave as early as possible. After 4pm, I won't allow you to even touch a thing. This is my warning and don't take my words lightly," said Kumar.
Kumar even refused to entertain the claims of a few 'encroachers'. He told them: "Your documents have been forged and deserve strong action. So, please remove all your valuable items or I will ask the police to chase you out."
{{/usCountry}}Kumar even refused to entertain the claims of a few 'encroachers'. He told them: "Your documents have been forged and deserve strong action. So, please remove all your valuable items or I will ask the police to chase you out."
{{/usCountry}}Kumar also took a round of the entire sector on his bicycle as his security staff and other officials followed him in haste.
Huda officials had warned locals at sector 44-45 about the drive and had asked them to move out of public property.
"They did not take the warning seriously and now they are crying, begging and asking for help. Nothing can be done now," said Amarjit Singh Dangi, sub-divisional engineer (survey).