Delhis Madrasi Camp Faces Demolition Amidst Resident Discontent

Despite the drive being put on hold twice and eligible residents having been rehabilitated, the task force of civic agencies— comprising members from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB)—deployed a heavy police contingent due to protests by residents. The drive started at 7.30am.

Anil Banka, district magistrate of South East Delhi, who oversaw the action, said it was carried out as per the court’s directive. “The Barapullah drain has become narrow; there were obstacles in cleaning the drainage. During heavy rains, the area floods due to these obstructions and its flow is interrupted. We have allotted flats in Narela to 189 families living here; 181 families were found ineligible,” he said.

In an order on May 9, the Delhi high court allowed the demolition of the slum cluster encroaching on public land near the old Barapullah bridge to facilitate timely clearance of the drain. The court directed DDA, MCD, DUSIB and Public Works Department (PWD) to hold two camps from May 10 to 12 to hand over possession letters of flats in Narela, and sanction loans for payment of ₹1.12 lakh, as per the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015.