Noida authority evicts dwellers from slum near Mahagun Moderne society

The action against temporary structures, which had come up on government land, comes four days after mob violence at the apartment complex over rumours that a maid was allegedly held captive by a family living there.

The Noida authority on Monday demolished 60 illegal huts in front of Mahagun Moderne apartment complex in sector 78.

The Noida authority demolished 60 hutments located opposite Mahagun Moderne society in Sector 78 on Monday. The action comes four days after a mob attacked the apartment complex over rumours that a maid has been taken hostage.(Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

The action against temporary structures, which had come up on government land, comes four days after mob violence at the apartment complex over rumours that a maid was allegedly held captive by a family living there.

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Some people were running vegetable shops from the hutments and lived behind them. “We have demolished 60 structures. Encroachment on government land cannot be allowed,” said MC Tyagi, project engineer of the Noida authority, who led the drive.

As many as 30 constables, four inspectors and 2 JCB machines were used in the drive, said officials. The demolition action started at 10 am and continued till 11.45 am.

“We are conducting a survey of all slums in Sector 78 and demolish all such structures,” said Tyagi.

“We have removed slums in the past too. But the dwellers return soon after,” said Tyagi.

Construction labourers and domestic helps live in slums and villages around housing societies. “We have launched a drive against encroachment and it will continue until we clear all slums,” said Hom Singh Yadav, chief engineer of the Noida authority.

As per Noida authority officials’ estimates, around 2.5 lakh labourers, mostly domestic helps, live in these slums with no civic amenities such as drinking water, electricity and toilets.