Adarsh Colony razed, Chandigarh administration considers declaring city ‘slum free'
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Chandigarh: After the demolition of Adarsh Colony on Thursday, UT administration is considering declaring the city "slum free." Another slum cluster, Shahpur Colony, is still standing but UT officials contend that most of it is located on private land and requires proceedings under the Periphery Act.
Shahpur Colony has around 300 shanties spread over four acres of land.
Deputy commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav said, "We will request the UT administration to declare the city 'slum free' as all the major slum clusters standing on government land have been demolished. Shahpur Colony is predominantly on private agricultural land. The constructions are in violation of the Periphery Act, and consequently, action will proceed as per the Act in the case of Shahpur Colony."
In a major crackdown on illegal encroachments on Thursday, the UT administration carried out an eviction and demolition drive at Adarsh Colony, located between sectors 53 and 54. The drive led to the recovery of around 12 acres of prime government land estimated to be worth Rs 350 crore. There were around 800 hutments in the colony. Residents started removing their belongings after the UT estate office pasted notices of eviction in the colony.
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They moved out of the colony in large numbers on Wednesday.
The operation started early in the morning in the presence of heavy police force.
The reclaimed land will now be utilised in accordance with planned urban development goals. "The administration reiterates its commitment to ensuring planned and legal urban growth while protecting the rights and safety of all citizens. Residents are once again urged to refrain from unauthorised construction and occupation, as the administration continues to pursue similar action across other identified areas in the city," said a UT spokesman.
BOX: 'No effort made to rehabilitate us'
Many of the evicted residents said that the administration made no effort to rehabilitate them even when they had requisite documents. However, UT officials contended that despite previous notices, several structures and makeshift dwellings continued to encroach upon government land. "The administration served multiple notices and warnings to unauthorised occupants in the recent past, providing ample opportunity for voluntary compliance.
Some petitioners approached the high court against the demolition drive, but the petition was dismissed," Yadav said.
BOX: Reclaiming govt land
In the last two months, the administration has demolished two major slum clusters. On May 6, Janta Colony in Sector 25 was demolished. Ten acres of encroached government land was reclaimed during the drive, during which more than 10,000 residents were removed and 2,500 structures demolished. In April, UT reclaimed six acres of land by demolishing Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase 1. During the drive, 1,200 hutments were demolished and around 6,000 people were evicted.
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