Demolition team faces protest at Faidan, forced to turn away
A team of the UT Estate Office was forced to return as residents of Faidan village protested the move to demolish nearly 20 houses constructed outside the lal dora.
High drama was witnessed when an anti-encroachment team, equipped with eight heavy machines, reached the village. Senior Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Sandhu and Aam Aadmi Party councillor Jasbir Singh were at the forefront of the protest. SDM (East) Nitish Singla also reached the spot to pacify the protesters.
The Estate Office team faced a strong opposition as the protesters squatted in front of the machines. The officials said the area was earmarked for laying a water pipeline under the Amrit Yojana. Around 20 houses fall within the pipeline’s alignment, necessitating the demolition of structures outside the lal dora. Over 5,000 houses in the area reportedly fall outside this limit. Senior Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh said the Administration cannot lay pipeline on private land unless acquired.
The land beyond the lal dora can be used by villagers for only non-agricultural purposes, such as keeping livestock. Meanwhile, an anti-encroachment drive was also carried out in the fruit, vegetable and grain market in Sector 26. Temporary tarpaulins installed outside showrooms were removed and nearly 100 shanties and 10 dry fruit vendors were removed.
