Constructions being razed throughout a demolition drive at Bhoomiheen Camp in Govindpuri in south-east Delhi on Wednesday.
| Picture Credit score: ANUSHKA KOGTA
Almost 350 tenements unfold throughout the five-acre Bhoomiheen Camp in south-east Delhi’s Kalkaji have been demolished by the Delhi Improvement Authority on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) morning following orders by the Delhi Excessive Courtroom.
The court docket had on June 6 allowed the city physique to demolish the dwellings on the JJ cluster, noting that “not one of the petitioners have any authorized proper to proceed occupying the JJ cluster incessantly, to the detriment of the general public at giant”. A day later, the DDA requested the residents to vacate the world by June 10.
No less than 5 bulldozers have been deployed for the anti-encroachment drive, which began at 5 a.m. and flattened a complete of 344 dwellings. A lot of police and paramilitary personnel have been additionally stationed within the space to keep up legislation and order.
The residents, who work as road distributors, each day wage labourers and home helps in close by areas like C.R. Park, claimed that the positioning was house to almost 1,200 households. Those that weren’t deemed eligible for the November 2022 rehabilitation scheme, by way of which new flats have been allotted to Bhoomiheen Camp residents in Kalkaji Extension, identified that the drive had been performed on the peak of summer time. And that renting a spot within the adjoining areas, recognized for his or her sky-high rents, was past their means.
‘Can’t afford lease’
Kapoori, a 70-year-old widow who suffers from a number of ailments, together with TB, mentioned, “I can’t afford to maneuver right into a rented lodging. I had laid the muse stone of my home with my very personal arms throughout Indira Gandhi’s time because the Prime Minister.”
A number of residents claimed discrepancies with the style wherein the listing of beneficiaries was ready.
Bablu Sharma, 33, mentioned, “Our joint household has a complete of 17 voters registered right here. Nevertheless, the officers knowledgeable us that one deal with can’t have so many citizens and eliminated our title from the electoral roll. What’s our fault?”
“This motion [eviction] is essential for reclaiming DDA land, finishing housing tasks for different JJ clusters within the neighborhood, and stopping additional unlawful encroachments,” the DDA had earlier mentioned.
The city physique plans to utilise the world to offer flats to the slum dwellers at Navjeevan Camp and Jawahar Camp earlier than launching comparable drives in these areas.
Oppn. hits out at CM
On June 8, in opposition to the backdrop of demolitions on the Madrasi Camp, Ms. Gupta had mentioned that the slums within the metropolis have been being demolished following courts’ instructions and that neither her authorities nor the administration “can do something about it”. Nevertheless, she ensured that no slum cluster within the metropolis can be razed “illegally”.
Chief of the Opposition Atishi of the Aam Aadmi Occasion, who can also be the incumbent MLA from Kalkaji, visited the positioning on Wednesday and attacked Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, saying, “She says there’s a court docket order [to demolish the houses at Bhoomiheen Camp]. However who stood within the court docket and argued to demolish these jhuggis? The BJP is an anti-poor get together.”
Printed – June 12, 2025 01:27 am IST
