E-Paper
GDA pulls down illegal structures
THE GORAKHPUR Development Authority anti-encroachment squad demolished a dozen illegal constructions, including a double-storeyed building, in Sumer Sagar area. The squad also demolished the temporary tin sheds and shops that had come up after the land mafia had encroached on what used to be a pond.
THE GORAKHPUR Development Authority anti-encroachment squad demolished a dozen illegal constructions, including a double-storeyed building, in Sumer Sagar area. The squad also demolished the temporary tin sheds and shops that had come up after the land mafia had encroached on what used to be a pond.
When the bulldozers of the GDA failed to move forward due to a narrow passage, the labourers carried out the drive. The residents raised strong objection to “discriminatory” attitude of officials in demolishing illegal structures.
However, the squad, accompanied by a heavy police force and led by ADM (Administration) PK Agrawal, took no notice of the protests.
The advocates of the alleged encroachers tried to show the squad members relevant papers, but the ADM said 10 days had been given to the encroachers to show their papers regarding the land. The GDA had launched the drive after the residents failed to produce the papers. The encroachers approached their political mentors, who requested the ADM to grant the residents time to remove illegal constructions and items from their shops.
The land mafia had levelled the pond in the heart of the city. The then district magistrate Dr Avnesh Avasthi had launched an exercise to remove encroachments from the pond, but he was transferred soon afterwards.
GDA secretary BN Singh, SDM, Sadar, Ramesh Kumar, Gorakhnath CO Vinay Kumar Singh, along with junior engineer Narendra Singh and others, were present on this occasion.
Earlier, the district administration had constituted a three-members committee to inquire into complaints by local residents that levelling the natural pond had created drainage problems in around a dozen localities. The committee had upheld the complaints and submitted its report to district magistrate Dr Hariom.
In light of the report, the administration directed GDA officials to demolish illegal constructions.
