- By Nidhi Giri
- Tue, 27 May 2025 04:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Okhla Buildings Demolition: Demolition notices have been served to several houses in Okhla's Jamia Nagar area by authorities after a Supreme Court directive. On May 8, the top court ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi government to demolish unauthorised structures spread over more than 4 bighas of public land in Khasra No. 279 in Okhla Village within three months in accordance with law. Following this, a notice was issued, asking people to vacate the houses in the area within 15 days. The move has left residents, many of whom have been living in the area for several years, in a tough situation.
"This is to inform the general public that in Village Okhla, at Khasra Number 277 (Khizar Baba Colony, Muradi Road), Delhi, land belonging to the Irrigation Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh has been illegally encroached upon, and permanent houses and shops etc have been constructed. Remove these illegally constructed houses and shops within 15 days. Otherwise, in the event of any damage/harm, you will be solely responsible,” the notice read.
Expressing anger, Mohammad Danish (40), an employee with a retail outlet told The Indian Express that he had been staying in the area for almost 30 years. He stays in a small room in a three-storey building. His family includes his wife Shahnaz and two children.
“Remove the house in 15 days, they have told us. Where will we go?” he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Which Areas Are Affected?
The disputed land measures 34 bighas and 8 biswas and is located between Muradi Road and Khalillulah Masjid in Batla House. The area is densely packed with residential buildings of up to five floors. Some of the oldest buildings in the area are reported to have been at the site for over 40 years.
Out of a land measuring 34 bighas and 8 biswas, 13 bighas and 14 biswas is vacant, 11 bighas and 11 biswas falls under the UP Irrigation Department jurisdiction. The remaining 9 bighas and 3 biswas is occupied and were at the centre of the dispute.
Out of 9 bighas and 3 biswas, 5 bighas and 15 biswas is with the DDA while 3 bighas and 8 biswas is not in DDA's possession.
3 bighas and 5 biswas of the DDA land is protected under the Centre's PM-Uday scheme that offers recognition of property rights in unauthorised colonies, and the remaining 2 bighas and 10 biswas have to be demolished.
For the land not in DDA possession, the court directed the state government to step in and free the encroachment.