Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has issued directions to arrange temporary housing for people affected by EDMC demolition in East Laxmi Nagar Market area.
“Directions have been issued to arrange for immediate temporary shelters for affected people in tents erected on nearby lands or in schools,” Kejriwal said after a meeting with the officials.
He visited East Laxmi Nagar Market area to the residents affected by the demolition of structures built alongside the road as per East Laxmi Market Master Plan.
All the buildings that are being demolished are residential and the demolition has been continuing since Wednesday.
After an inspection with officials, Kejriwal said detailed study of the order of the High Court will be done, and an appeal will be filed after a careful analysis of the circumstances under which the demolition orders were issued by the Delhi High Court.
Kejriwal reached the spot, where he was accompanied by MLAs Rajendra Pal Gautam, Rakhi Birla, Kuldeep Kumar, and Ajay Dutt. Taking stock of the situation, CM Kejriwal spoke to the residents of the area and assured them of support. The CM also directed the officials to ensure that the temporary housing of the affected people is completed immediately so that people, who are now shelterless have a roof over there head.
Kejriwal said, “Many jhuggis have been demolished here on the directions of the Delhi High Court. I have directed the officials to begin an in-depth study of the order of the Delhi High Court, and on how a court order for demolition can be issued in the time of this pandemic.
After the analysis of the court order, we will explore all options and try to find a permanent solution to the issue. We will also arrange temporary shelter for the people here by either erecting tents on nearby land, or providing lodging facilities in schools, where all necessary arrangements such as food, water, lodging, and sanitation will be made.”
Apart from assuring temporary shelter to the residents, CM Arvind Kejriwal also said that options will be explored after an in-depth study of the order of the Delhi High Court. MLAs visiting the area have unanimously said that the demolition should not happen because of the Corona pandemic. They said the demolition by the EDMC is making people suffer at a time when people are already affected by Corona.
The demolition drive was restarted on Monday in the light of the old directions of the Delhi High Court to remove encroachments on the service road, which is also known as the Master Plan Road in the Laxmi Market area. Until now, more than 60 structures have been demolished which served as houses for the families in East Laxmi Market area.
