New Delhi, May 31: A major demolition drive was launched in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh on Saturday with heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel, paramilitary forces and senior administrative officials to clear encroachments along a key road widening project.
Authorities said action was initiated against around 150 structures after the expiry of the notice period. The operation is being carried out under tight security, with DCPs, ACPs and officials from multiple districts monitoring the exercise on the ground.
Speaking to reporters, North Central Delhi District Magistrate Shailendra Singh said the land in question had been acquired by the government in 1980 and compensation had already been paid to the original occupants.
He said the administration had issued notices to residents and subsequently sought claims and objections following directions from the Delhi High Court. Around 157 residents submitted applications, all of which were individually examined through hearings before orders were passed.
According to Singh, none of the applicants could establish ownership through recorded title deeds, and all were found to be encroachers on government land.
“Notices were issued to all concerned persons and hearings were conducted. The Delhi High Court ruled in favour of the administration on May 30 and granted approximately seven weeks for the encroachers to vacate. Subsequently, the matter was taken to the Supreme Court, which also declined to grant relief,” he said.
Officials said the demolition is linked to a long-pending road widening project under Delhi’s Master Plan. While the road remains adequately wide on both ends, it narrows significantly in the middle due to encroachments, creating traffic bottlenecks and civic problems.
Singh said the narrowing of the road contributes to severe waterlogging during the monsoon and hampers drainage during heavy rainfall. The administration had attempted to persuade residents to cooperate in the larger public interest and for the area’s planned development, he added.
“This action should have been taken much earlier, but it could not be implemented. We are carrying it out now in the interest of public infrastructure and urban development,” the District Magistrate said.
The demolition drive is expected to continue until all identified encroachments affecting the proposed 30-metre-wide road corridor are cleared.
