Chandni Chowk encroachments should be removed: HC tells North MCD

The municipal corporation of North Delhi (North MCD) on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that it was the responsibility of the city government and the PWD to remove encroachments by religious structures on the roads in Chandni Chowk.

North MCD said that according to a 2012 order of Delhi government, all roads having right of way of 60 feet or more are vested in the city government which along with Public Works Department (PWD) has to be directed to remove the encroachments.

The Corporation made the submission in an application moved by it seeking modification of the court’s April 30 order directing North MCD to remove encroachments by religious structures on the roads of Chandni Chowk by the end of May.

A Bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and S Muralidhar, however, listed the matter for further hearing on August 6.

North MCD has said in its application that pursuant to the government’s January 10, 2012 order, it has transferred ownership of all such roads, along with assets like drains and light poles, to PWD.

The court had issued the April 30 order after it was told that a religious committee, set up by the government to deal with issue of encroachment of the roads by the structures, was yet to take a decision.

The court had said the ownership of the land was with North MCD and since the authorities do not dispute there was encroachment, the Corporation should remove it. It has been monitoring the issue of <g data-gr-id="23">redevelopment</g> of the Walled City through a petition filed by NGO Manushi Sangathan in 2007.