NEW DELHI: A demolition drive is underway at Jangpura’s Madrasi Camp to remove slums along the Barapullah drain on Sunday following a Delhi High Court order .The drive has resulted in the demolition of 370 illegal structures, with 189 residents eligible for relocation to Narela flats while 181 residents were deemed ineligible for resettlement.The demolition initiative aims to address flooding issues caused by the narrowed drain, which impedes water flow during heavy rainfall in the area.South East Delhi District Magistrate Anil Banka explained the court-ordered operation, stating, “This action is being carried out as per the court’s orders, and we are removing the encroachments solely based on those directives. The Barapulla drain had become narrow, hindering its cleaning and causing issues with water flow. During heavy rains, flooding spreads across the area due to these obstructions. The matter was under consideration in court, which has now permitted us to proceed with the removal starting today. We have also allotted flats in Narela to all eligible residents affected by this drive.”Banka confirmed that residents had received prior notices about the encroachments, saying, “Notices regarding the encroachments were already given to residents, and till now, 370 illegal encroachments have been demolished. While 189 are eligible for resettlement, 181 are not eligible for resettlement.”The Delhi government has appointed officers to address waterlogging problems in the city.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured that the BJP government remains committed to slum development in the national capital, promising that no slums will be demolished.During her visit to a slum area, Gupta stated, “I have just come to a slum area where we are laying sewer lines and I want to give a message to all the slum dwellers of Delhi that these people who are in shock that the government has not completed 100 days and so much work is going on continuously are circulating some lists in WhatsApp groups as part of a conspiracy that slums will be demolished, not even one slum settlement, not even one slum colony of Delhi, is going to be demolished. We have kept a budget of Rs 700 crore for different kinds of work to be done in the slums here. To provide all these facilities like drains, toilets, bathrooms and parks for children, we are investing crores of rupees in every slum area.”She further emphasized the government’s commitment to the welfare of slum dwellers and the cleaning of the Yamuna River, stating, “The government is working in the interest of the people, in the interest of the slum dwellers. Yamuna ji should be cleaned, and we are working on this goal.”
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