The Times of India              21.10.2010

MCD begins razing illegal constructions

NEW DELHI: Builders seem to have taken advantage of the Commonwealth Games by indulging in large-scale unauthorized construction, according to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The civic agency has taken on a major demolition drive against all such structures claiming that they could have done little to prevent this earlier as they were all busy with the Games.

On Wednesday, the MCD started its demolition drive in central zone and will take similar action in other zones as well in the coming weeks. The civic agency has demolished over 30 unauthorized structures since Tuesday in areas like Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, Sarita Vihar, Amar Colony and Govindpuri.

"Since the police force was not available due to the Games, we could not carry out demolitions for several months. The builder lobby took advantage of this and carried out unauthorized construction thinking that no action will be taken against them. This drive is meant to send a message across to unscrupulous builders that they must respect the law. The civic body is in no mood to give respite to offenders,'' said an MCD official.

Said Anil Pandit, from Aurbindo Market association, "Several complaints were made against a shopkeeper who had constructed his shop in front of the main power supply panel. The MCD came to take action against this encroachment and demolished several signboards as well.''