Indian Express 07.12.2010
Half-demolished MG Road buildings pose threat, MCD waits for word from Delhi govt
Hamari Jamatia Tags : demolition drive, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Special Provisions Act, MCD Posted: Tue Dec 07 2010, 03:54 hrs
New Delhi: The buildings on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road were once popular for the style and high fashion brands that they housed. But four years after the demolition drive first struck the area, they have turned into a skeleton of their former self, threatening passersby and motorists.And come New Year these buildings may go forever, bringing a sigh of relief to those living in the neighbourhood. The four malls on the road were partially demolished four years ago and have stood dangerously close to collapsing ever since. With the Special Provisions Act restraining the MCD from completing the demolition work, residents of the area fear the structures may fall any time.
On December 31, the “status quo” ordered for the buildings comes to an end — earlier the buildings could not be fully demolished by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions Act). After December 31, the MCD can take over and complete its job, in case the Delhi government does not extend the deadline again.
“The Act is revised and updated every year to protect buildings in village areas. The MCD had to stop its demolition drive under the Act and the malls were given status quo, due to which neither the MCD nor the owners could change anything about the buildings,” said S K Midha, Deputy Commissioner of MCD (South Zone).
He added that after December 31 the MCD can continue with its demolition work. Two of the four partially demolished buildings on the road —1 MG and 13 MG — have been protected from crumbling by buttressing them with iron poles. They have been covered with blue cloth to ensure that a falling piece does not hurts any passer-by. The MCD began the demolition work in 2006. After it had sealed and pulled down hundreds of properties in the area, it was stopped by the Delhi government in 2007 under the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions Act). The owner of 2 MG, one of the partially-demolished building, had also filed a petition to stay the demolition order but the court did not decide in his favour.
