Special cell to demolish unauthorised structures

In a bid to crack down on illegal constructions, Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Firhad Hakim has asked officials to form a separate cell for demolishing unauthorised structures, including ones where reconstruction work has deviated from the sanction plan.

The civic body lately has been drawing flak for allegedly failing to curb illegal constructions in the city. During the hearing of a case on Friday concerning an illegal construction, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court, while addressing the counsel of the KMC, is learnt to have given a strong message where he is learnt to have remarked that if required, bulldozers should be hired from Yogi (Yogi Adityanath) to take down such structures. He said that there should be no tolerance for thuggery and that goons must be dealt with iron hands.

A citizen from Ward 08 has brought to the notice of the Mayor that his adjacent building is being reconstructed and construction work is also being carried out on the common wall. The complainant said that the two-storey building is now being turned into a four-storeyed one and fears that it may affect his residence which is quite old. The Mayor had instructed officials to conduct a spot inspection.

KMC sources said the Mayor is learnt to have ordered the setting up of a special cell that will look into the demolition of illegal constructions. He is learnt to have said besides taking down structures which are wholly illegal, the cell will also deal with cases where reconstruction work has deviated from the sanctioned plan. An official said such a cell has already been set up and will be in charge of the demolition work.

Firhad Hakim has also assured that the KMC has stepped up its efforts in pulling down unauthorised structures. He said the police are helping the KMC at every step. Every day, four to five such unauthorised structures are being demolished, said an official.