Sanjay Colony makes history, Chandigarh Admn frees 6 acres of govt land worth Rs 250 cr
The UT Administration today demolished 1,000 jhuggis in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Phase I, and reclaimed 6 acres of government land worth Rs 250 crore.
Eight earth-moving machines of the Estate Office took nearly four hours to raze the slum. Now, this land will be handed over to the Engineering Department and a plan will soon be devised for its development, said a senior officer.
The Administration had tried to remove the colony two years ago, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the demolition. After the stay was vacated recently, the Administration gave a week’s notice to the residents to vacate the land.
At 6 am, the Estate Office teams, accompanied by heavy police force, reached the spot and started the drive around 7am. It continued till 11 am.
Most of the residents had removed their belongings before the drive started. Many dwellers claimed that they had documents, but were not considered eligible under the rehabilitation scheme. They had been living in the colony for the past nearly 10-15 years.
Many dwellers kept their belongings on the roadside. They said they had nowhere to go and the Administration should accommodate them somewhere in the city, at least under a rental scheme. They would be forced to live on pavements, said a daily wager.
Shakeel Ahmad, a rickshaw-puller, said he had been living in the colony with his wife and four children since 2005. He had documents, including the voter identity card, but was not considered for rehabilitation under the Central Government’s Affordable Rental Housing scheme. Now, he has to take rent a room in Halomajra, which will further reduce his meagre income.
Anita Devi, who belongs to Fatehpur district in Uttar Pradesh, said politicians sought their votes promising pucca houses during elections, but they were nowhere to be seen now. Of four children, her son is a college student and 10-year- old daughter studies in a school.
In 2022, the Administration had demolished Colony No. 4 and reclaimed 65 acres worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore. However, the land still remains vacant. In 2021, the slum dwellers of tin-shed colonies were rehabilitated in Sectors 52 and 56.
The Estate Office had earlier freed around 200 acres after razing Colony No. 5, Mazdoor Colony, Kuldeep Colony, Pandit Colony, Nehru Colony, Ambedkar Colony, Kajheri Colony and Madrasi Colony.
Janta Colony demolition likely next week
The UT Administration has planned to demolish Janta Colony, Sector 25, on Friday next week. The colony spans over 10 acres of government land worth about Rs 350 crore. It has been earmarked for a dispensary, primary school, community centre and a shopping area.
Chandigarh