Illegal constructions are continuing to mushroom in the State capital with around 31,887 illegal constructions being recorded till date in different areas of the city. Observers opine that instead of preventing this practice, the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) is focusing more on validating such constructions by compounding them which is encouraging unplanned development in Dehradun.
The MDDA secretary Bansidhar Tiwari averred that MDDA periodically organises compounding camps in which the unauthorised properties are legalised by charging extra fees and penalising the offenders. Such compounding camps are generally organised once or twice in a month, he said. He said that compounding orders had been passed for about 1031 illegal structures and compounding fees has been deposited for total 5034 illegal structures till date.
Tiwari said that illegal construction work is basically done in two categories. Under first category structures are constructed without the approval of map required for the construction work while the second category comprises deviations in which construction is made to cover more than the approved area of land. He said that challans are imposed under both these categories. If the illegal construction work comes under first category, immediate case is registered against the offender and then the construction work is stopped. If the illegal construction work is categorised as a deviation, a challan is imposed but the construction work is not stopped, he added.
However, MDDA officials also claim that the population of the town has increased by around 15-20 times in last 30 years but MDDA is still following the same organisational structure which was formed in 1984. No amendment has been done in it since then. No addition has been done in the number of staff and their working responsibilities have also not changed. Therefore, it becomes tough for the officials to check and penalise such offenders.
As per the data provided by MDDA officials, they have demolished only 366 illegal structures till date and only 90 properties have been sealed while sealing orders have been passed for total 63 properties. Demolition orders have been passed for total 3,596 illegal structures. While some small illegally constructed shops have been demolished, the illegal residential constructions have been largely left undemolished. When asked about this, officials said that it becomes tough for them to act against fully constructed residential structures or issuing demolition order against such properties. Generally, such cases are resolved legally which includes their legalisation by charging compounding charge on the structure.
Sources revealed of the total illegal construction cases registered, about 317 cases are in court, 18,535 cases are under process at MDDA and 2617 cases were dropped.