The Times of India            28.11.2013  

JMC demolishes 44 more houses in Amanishah Nullah

JAIPUR: A day before submitting the compliance report to the Rajasthan high court, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) razed nearly four dozen illegally constructed houses in Amanishah Nullah on Wednesday.

A JMC enforcement team removed the encroachments from New Defense Colony, Welcome Colony, Durga Colony and nearby areas.

A senior vigilance officer said, "We have razed five houses completely, while 39 houses have been partially razed from the nullah catchment area. The drive was carried out peacefully without any protests."

The affected house owners alleged that their houses are being demolished without rehabilitating them. However, officials dismissed their allegations as majority of encroachers have not filled the optional forms. "In the JMC periphery, there are 146 complete and 232 partial structures. However, a madrassa has not been razed as it will be relocated first. And, out of 146, around 28 house owners have been rehabilitated. Rest have been provided with rent compensation," said the officer.

During the drive, the affected house owners also alleged that JMC officials the centerline determined by the JMC officials is wrong. They also claimed that the officials have tampered with the centreline to save few house owners. Dismissing the allegation, an official said, "The drive is being carried out as per the MNIT survey report, based on which the nullah will be made 53 feet wide on either side. In phase-II, service lanes will be constructed on both sides of the nullah."

Nearly 300 houses of the catchment area that fall in the JMC region will be excluded as per the new survey report. "Nearly 756 houses have been constructed in the catchment area of the nullah. If the drive is carried out as per MNIT survey report, at least 300 of these houses will be saved from demolition," said a source.