North Delhi Municipal Corporation to step up drive against encroachers in Chandni Chowk

NEW DELHI: North Delhi Municipal Corporation is likely to intensify its drive against encroachers or squatters operating at non-hawking or non-squatting areas in the city zone, especially in Chandni Chowk.
Last week, Delhi high court directed the departments concerned to continue their coordinated efforts and monitor the status regularly. “We were asked to convene a meeting within two weeks of the July 3 order and submit a fresh status report before the next hearing in October.We will soon call a joint meeting,” said a north corporation official. Between May and June, the corporation carried out at least 20 anti-encroachment drives along Netaji Subhash Marg and in the neighbouring areas, and the drive will continue, he added.
In February, the court directed Delhi Government, police and the civic bodies to form a task force of Delhi Police and corporation officials. A nodal officer was also to be appointed to verify the activities carried out to control these illegal activities in Chandni Chowk. “The task force has been formed to verify the status of illegal hawkers and squatters and if they have returned to these areas. But it is actually the responsibility of the local police to ensure that illegal squatters don’t return to these areas,” claimed the official.
On July 3, the high court also dismissed a petition filed by Saptahik Merchant Welfare Association for permitting them to squat on Netaji Subhash Marg. The Supreme Court held in 2006 that the road had to be maintained as a no-hawking or no-squatting zone, the high court had said.
“This place is already chaotic and any encroachment on pavements makes the condition worse,” said Sanjay Bhargav, president of ChandnI Chowk Vyapaar Mandal. However, he alleged, there has been lapses in coordination and regular checks despite the court’s direction. “That’s why these encroachers came back. There is also no clarity on Sunday Book Market yet,” Bhargav added.