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Urban Encroachment

Removing encroachments before deadline a challenge for JMC

Monday, 06 May 2013 11:47 administrator
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The Times of India            06.05.2013 

Removing encroachments before deadline a challenge for JMC

JAIPUR: The deadline of May 30 given by the high court to remove all the encroachments from the catchment area of Amanishah Nulllah has not jolted Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) out of its slumber. No work has begun in this direction so far.

With three weeks left, JMC seems to be taking a casual approach to both rehabilitation of the affected house owners and removing the illegal construction. According to official sources, fear of violent protests has held back the civic body from carrying on the drive.

While the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has started the demolition drive, it remains a challenge for JMC to remove the encroachments in the given deadline as only two consent letters so far from owners are in the jurisdiction of the corporation. A senior official at JMC said, "Despite advertising thrice in the newspapers to inform the affected house owners that they can approach us to fill the consent form, so, far, we have received only two consent letters."

As per the survey, the maximum number of encroachments, around 756, are in the jurisdiction of JMC. Only demolition of nine illegal constructions has been done by JMC. Vigilance commissioner, Anil Gothwal said, "As the deadline is approaching, a team has been constituted to appease the affected house owners. The drive will be started soon to achieve the target before deadline."

Official sources claimed that the task is becoming difficult as the residents have become aggressive. Many encroachers too refused to accept the notices and one of the house owners tore the notice. "The support of local MLA has given courage to the encroachers to protest against the state government. A meeting has also been scheduled to have a dialogue with the public representatives. " added a source.

Recently, a violent protest while, issuing notices to the house owners whose dwellings are in the catchment area became a challenge for the JMC officials. Many times, officials were not able to complete their work and had to return empty-handed as hundreds of residents gheraoed the officials.

"Earlier, we started issuing notices between Sushilpura and Hassanpura area. After issuing notices, the team had to return as the residents intensified their protest," a JMC official said.

An official claimed that the latest high court order on Amanishah Nullah, which allowed its width to be maintained between 150-210 feet on whichever side free space is available, has come as a major relief for the JDA. However, as encroachers are densely populated in the area, there is no option other than razing constructions from both the ends.

On the other hand, JDA's deputy inspector general (enforcement) GL Sharma said, " We are on the job. On Sunday , around 12 illegal constructions were demolished and rehabilitated ."

However, sources claimed that even JDA will find it difficult to meet the deadline as around 100 illegal constructions are yet to be demolished. "JDA has to began the drive in areas where violent protests was faced. In Devi Nagar the fierce mob hurled stones at police vans and beat up junior engineer of JDA," said sources.

Last Updated on Monday, 06 May 2013 11:59
 

Eviction drive at Jugsalai; 80 shop owners face ire

Monday, 06 May 2013 06:13 administrator
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The Pioneer                  06.05.2013

Eviction drive at Jugsalai; 80 shop owners face ire

In a major eviction drive more than 80 shop owners and owners of residential premises faced the Jugsalai Mucipality's ire as the civic body carried out the drive from the densely-populated Station Road on Sunday.

According to officials of the Jugsalai Municipality, the owners of the shops and residences had been given permission to put up cement slab over the drains passing on either side of the road. But instead of putting the slab, most of them had concretted the platform, several of them blocking the drain.  As a result of which the drainage system had collapsed, causing the rain water to spill over to the road leading to traffic congestion.

“Most of the shops here had come up with extension the government land and still the process of encroachment is on. Those who pass through this road daily but hardly bother to initiate any steps to remove the encroachments,” said Prakash Sharma, a social worker.

The anti-encroachment drive at Jugsalai had actually begun on the Jugsalai-Station Road on Saturday afternoon, but it had stopped in a while after one of the shop-keepers and his men had resisted the civic body's move.

The drive was resumed this morning on the Station Road, but signifcantly there was no protest from the shop-keeper and owners of the residential premises.  Rather several of the owners of the shops and residences were seen dismantling the extended portion by themselves. Special officer, Jugsalai Municipality, Sitaram Singh said that the anti-encroachment drive will continue for the next one week during which they would clear the encroachment from the roads in  Jugsalai.

Meanwhile several illegal jhuggis and shops have been raised in areas in Mango, Golpahari, Loco Colony, Karandih, Jugsalai, Sakchi andBistupur. Though several times the anti-encroachment drives have been carried but due to support of local goons the people are able to intrude the land again.

 

Protests stall demolition drive

Friday, 03 May 2013 08:56 administrator
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The New Indian Express                 03.05.2013

Protests stall demolition drive

A temple being demolished at Cuttack Naraj road by the administration on Wednesday | Express Photo
A temple being demolished at Cuttack Naraj road by the administration on Wednesday | Express Photo

The demolition of religious structures on encroached Government land undertaken by the administration has encountered its first major challenge with the City observing a total shutdown in protest on Thursday.

The drive launched by the administration on Wednesday had to be suspended as normal life came to a standstill due to the bandh called by the Cuttack Mahanagar Shanti Committee, puja committees and the Matha Mandir Surakhya Parishad seeking a review of the decision to raze the temples and other religious structures.

The administration on Wednesday had demolished three temples and the Bhakti Vedanta Ashram of Iskcon at Bidyadharpur under CDA. Though the administration had much earlier announced to demolish the unauthorised religious structures as per the orders of the Orissa High Court from May 1, the actual implementation fuelled tension and protests.

Puja committees and the Shanti Committee issuing call for a bandh, the entire city came to a grinding halt. Markets, shops and commercial establishments were closed through the day as protestors staged rallies and dharnas at different places.

Demonstrations were staged at Khan Nagar, Chandi Mandir square, High Court Square, Badambadi and Buxi Bazaar while the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central) became the centre of all protest activities. Groups of protestors staged dharnas in front of RDC office demanding suspension of demolition drive.

The strike posed serious problems for the commuters and passengers as the protestors forced a halt in the bus services. At many places on the Link Road, buses and autorickshaws were stopped and passengers forced to get down. Vehicular traffic on the busy NH-5 was also disrupted for over half an hour due to road blockade.

“The demolition of temples has hurt religious sentiments of people of the city. The structures should not have been allowed to be constructed in first place. But when they have come up and deities are being worshiped by thousands of devotees, how can they be razed. We will continue with protests until the decision is reviewed,” secretary of Cuttack Mahanagar Shanti Committee Bhikari Das said.

Political parties too jumped into the swell with leaders cutting across partylines sharing stage at the protests. Former Minister and BJP leader Samir Dey, former Mayor Nibedita Pradhan and City Congress president Md Mokim led rallies and dharnas at different places.

The administration, however, continues to be unperturbed by developments and is ready to resume it on Friday. “Additional security arrangements would be made if required”, DCP Praveen Kumar said. Meanwhile, a batch of writ petitions was filed in the Orissa High Court by individual appellants praying for a halt to demolition drive. The Division Bench of Justice MM Das and Justice I Mohanty has posted the hearing on the petitions to Tuesday.

 
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