No time to demolish GB Road brothels, North MCD wants Mohalla Clinics razed

In a notice issued to the Corporation on Monday, the Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Swati Maliwal has asked for a time-bound plan within 48 hours to demolish illegal structures particularly the secret cells in which trafficked girls are hidden.

The Corporation issued directions to its officials to remove the Delhi government’s flagship programme Mohalla Clinics after raising issue of illegal constructions. The members of the Standing Committee claimed that these clinics are being constructed on public spaces like footpaths in its jurisdiction and are posing danger to public safety. 

“Concerned MCD departments have already issued notices to PWD to remove these structure as it is an encroachment on public space. Structures being built to open Mohalla Clinics on footpaths also pose a danger to pedestrian safety. We have been giving fresh directions to check illegal constructions on the name of Mohalla Clinics and to demolish them immediately,” said Pravesh Wahi, Chairman Standing Committee. 

During Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, the members unanimously pointed that even the permanent structures coming up for these clinics are built without approval. The committee also directed that the engineering department to ensure that no building will be constructed without the proper approval of the building plan by the competent authority. A senior official informed the committee that notices have been served to the PWD and other agencies for removal of these illegally-erected structure.

The committee members also suggested that a list of such structures built or being built for Mohalla Clinics should be given to the Lieutenant Governor, administrative head, of the Corporation for necessary action. “We are not against the Mohalla Clinics but its structures should not pose as danger to public safety,” said a member. Leader of Opposition, Mukesh Goel said that the footpath should be made free from any encroachment. “We must act against these illegal structures built in the name of Mohalla Clinics in a similar way as the Corporation acts against the common-man,” he added.

Talking over DCW’s notice asking the civic body to submit a foolproof plan of action for demolition of illegal structures in brothels at Garstin Bastion (GB) Road, the 

Corporation said that it is still looking at all the options and no decision has been taken yet. “Since demolition of buildings at a particular area is a complicated subject, we need to go a detailed investigation. If any conclusion comes out, it will be announced accordingly,” said the Standing Committee Chairman.

Notably, the DCW on Monday sent notice to the Corporation asking the civic body to submit an ‘action plan and timeline’ for demolition of illegal structures including tehkhanas or hidden cells in brothels at GB Road within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice.