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The Chandigarh Estate Office on Sunday initiated a drive to remove illegal encroachments in Colony No 4 in the Industrial Area, Phase – I, the oldest colony of Chandigarh, during which around 80 acres was freed from illegal encroachment.
The demolition of Colony No 4, Industrial Area, began at 5 am on Sunday with the deployment of around 2,000 police personnel and 10 executive magistrates.
The 65 acres land, which originally belongs to Forest Department and Estate Office, was reclaimed that is worth Rs 2000 crore approximately.
The demolition faced no resistance from the colony residents even as the administration had imposed prohibitory orders under Section of the CrPC. As per the prohibitory orders issued by the Chandigarh Administration, the assembly of five or more persons in the colony and within 500 metres of its periphery is barred. The police announced traffic restrictions on routes going towards the colony.
Special teams were also deputed by the Deputy Commissioner for helping the colony residents in shifting and transporting their belongings. Carriage Transport service was also provided by the Chandigarh Administration for the smooth eviction.
Moreover, the decision to raze the oldest colony was taken to make Chandigarh slum-free but scheduled demolitions were put on hold several times over the last 11 years.
Seven days were given to the residents last week to vacate the colony as vacant EWS houses were provisionally allotted to them. Most of them were shifted to EWS flats in Maloya earlier.
Spokesperson said that on April 29, 2022, a camp was organized in the office premises of the SDM (East), Chandigarh, for provisional allotment of flats under Affordable Rental Housing Scheme at Maloya Housing Complex.
Thereafter, a computerized draw was held on April 30, 2022, at CHB Office for allotment of 290 flats to residents of Colony No.4 at Maloya Housing Complex and the result of the draw was uploaded on the website of the Chandigarh Housing Board — www.chbonline.in .
On Sunday, a camp has been organized by the Chandigarh Housing Board at the Maloya Housing Complex for completing the remaining formalities or documentation and handing over of possession of the flats.
About 125 officers or officials of CHB have been deputed for early completion of the work and about 250 out of 290 successful applicants have been given Allotment Letters and physical possession slips. Notary Public, Stamp Vendors and photocopier Machine were available at the camp itself for the convenience of the allottees.
Municipal Corporation and the Electricity Department are providing electric connections and water connections at the camp itself.
According to UT official, based on a biometric survey of Colony No 4 carried out by the Estate Office, a new list of 658 residents was sent to Chandigarh Housing Board on April 29.
It is pertinent to mention here that another biggest slum in colony number 5 of Chandigarh was demolished in 2013. At that time also, police forces had to be deployed due to the people's protest. There were about 7000 kutcha houses. After this, in the last 10 years, under the rehabilitation scheme, more than 25,000 houses have been built in different sectors of the city. Many beneficiaries have also shifted in these houses.