Proposed STF to monitor uuthorised constructions

New Delhi, April 9: The Supreme Court on Monday informed by the Central government that it has proposed to set up a Special Task Force (STF) to monitor issues relating to uuthorised constructions in tiol capital and will take steps to demolish them. The STF will identify encroachments in government land in different localities of Delhi and reclaim the land, said Additiol Solicitor General N.S dkarni, appearing for the Central government, told the court. A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta asked the Central and Delhi governments and other authorities not to make uuthorised construction and sealing of illegal structures in Delhi a “political” issue.

The bench asked the authorities to look into the aspects of fire safety, especially in schools, and the massive depletion of groundwater while proceeding in the matter and also made it clear to the authorities that the “health of the citizens of Delhi was much more important than profit” and they would have to deal with the issue in a holistic manner.

dkarni, in a document submitted to the court, said as a first measure, uuthorised encroachment on public streets, pavements, footpaths, parks, etc will forthwith be removed and cleared by the STF, which will have representatives of the Delhi Development Authority, the three civic bodies as well as the the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Police, Traffic Department, and Delhi’s Transport, Revenue and Fire departments.

The objective of STF would also include identifying the areas of congestion of traffic in Delhi and suggest measures to remedy the same to local bodies and other agencies.

The ASG told the bench that meetings were held among the representatives of DDA, members of monitoring committee, Secretary, Housing and Urban Affairs, officials from NDMC and MCDs, Delhi government, and many points were discussed including encroachment, misuse of land, absence of civic amenities like parking space and comprehensive view of Master Plan of Delhi 2021 and several other things including the provisions of the Delhi Development Act and the Regulation. The large scale of construction of building beyond permissible FAR, misuse of public land etc. and other similar violation have to be stopped forthwith and a complete no tolerance to these illegal activities has to be shown,” it added. The bench now posted the matter for further hearing on April 18. (IANS)

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