MCG officials have claimed that they reserve the right to carry out the drives and are simply complying with the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) claimed that the demolition of illegal structures within the 300-metre radius of the restricted area near the Indian Air Force (IAF) ammunition depot in Sector 14 will be continued until these encroachments are completely razed. The demolition drive is being undertaken in compliance with the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court.
The district administration is already engaged in talks with residents, who face eviction, regarding a compensation package.
Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh had issued a notice on April 13 under Section 9 of the Works of Defence Act, asking residents of the 300-metre area to file submission claims regarding their properties till May 14. However, on Monday evening, the deputy commissioner extended the time period for submission of claims till June 22.
The MCG is facing opposition from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a rightwing outfit that has asked the state government to stop them from carrying out the demolition drives.
However, officials of the MCG has said that they have the right to clear encroachments near the IAF ammunition depot.
“The MCG reserves the right to carry out drives in the 300-metre restricted area and is acting upon the orders issued by the HC. Structures which were built after the HC had put a stop on new constructions in the area are being demolished,” Yashpal Yadav, commissioner, MCG, said.
There are 4,156 properties illegally constructed in the restricted area according to MCG records. These include 854 commercial buildings, 3,016 residential buildings and 241 mixed land-use buildings.
Since the date of the first demolition drive on March 19, the MCG has razed 90 structures in six drives.
