The anti-encroachment drive continued on public roads, footpaths and streets in Dehradun on Monday. A total of 270 encroachments were demolished, 250 encroachments were marked and 11 buildings were sealed during the drive on Monday. So far, a total of 1085 encroachments have been demolished, 2817 have been marked and 87 buildings have been sealed.
Chairing a meeting with members of the anti-encroachment task force, the Additional Chief Secretary Om Prakash reviewed the plan of action for demolition and marking of encroachments along with the sealing of buildings for violation of the rules.
He directed officials of the Peyjal Nigam, BSNl, PWD, power and irrigation departments involved in the anti-encroachment drive to work in a coordinated manner. In places where encroachments have been demolished the departments concerned should execute their respective tasks on time to prevent public inconvenience. Geo tagging of pillars erected at places cleared of encroachments should be expedited. He ordered the authorities concerned to speed up the things at any cost.
The work of the PWD and electricity department is vital in reconstruction, widening and beautification after the demolition works. He directed officials to prepare an estimate of widening and beautification work of the road from Rispana (Dayanand Saraswati bridge) to Prince Chowk and from Survey Chowk to DEAl factory on Raipur Road.
Task force head and MDDA secretary Ashish Srivastav said that 25 per cent of the anti-encroachment work on the main roads is complete. Reacting to this, Prakash said that the drive on main roads should be completed by July 27.
Congress alleges violations in drive
A Congress delegation led by Pradesh Congress Committee president Pritam Singh met Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh and complained about legitimate constructions being demolished and direction of the supreme court being sidelined in the anti-encroachment drive in Dehradun.
In the memorandum submitted to the Chief Secretary, the Congress members stated that the Supreme Court had modified the High Court orders on the anti-encroachment drive and had directed that notice should first be served to those found encroaching in three weeks, for which three week time was given for replying after which necessary action was to be taken in four weeks.
However, officials are providing only a 24-hour warning to remove encroachment and also demolishing the legitimate constructions of the people.
The Congress delegation demanded that the anti-encroachment task force be directed according to the modification made by the Supreme Court in the High Court orders.
Further, constructions built after approval of map by the authority concerned should not be demolished.