In a campaign to demolish unauthorised structures all over in the state, the government has now decided to demolish the houses in Nehru Colony, Faridabad NIT, has issued 9-day eviction notices to nearly 8,000 households, triggering widespread concern among residents living there for decades. The residents received notices issued by Vijay Singh, Tehsildar said where will we go without a roof. The Haryana government Rehabilitation Department of the Rehabilitation has asked residents to vacate their homes immediately for the construction of an elevated flyover, in case they fail to comply, the department has warned of forced eviction and demolishing the same, claiming area. Illegal encroachment on 60 acres. While talking to the media, the residents of Nehru Colony said, showing their residence documents, Aadhaar card and house tax receipt.
According to the government, around 8,000 small and large houses in Nehru Colony have been built on 60 acres of land belonging to the Rehabilitation Department without legal ownership on the land that was illegally occupied, despite residents having lived there for over 50 years. According to information, thousands of people currently reside in the colony, where planned elevated flyover project from Metro Chowk to Sainik Colony Road in Faridabad, aiming to ease chronic traffic congestion, has to be constructed behind the eviction plan. The planned elevated flyover will run through NIT-3 and serve commuters heading towards Gurugram, as such for the project’s execution, the government is seeking to clear the area and reclaim the land. On June 26, the Rehabilitation Department had issued a formal notice requiring residents to surrender their homes within 15 days clearly stating that failure to vacate by July 10 will result in the department forcibly taking over possession. Following the notice, panic and confusion have spread among the people of Nehru Colony. Residents argued that they have valid documents like Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, ration cards, and house tax receipts raising a question how their houses are being labelled illegal.
The residents said their family has been living in Nehru Colony for the last about five decades pointing out that the administration provided them with electricity connections and even installed a government tube well. They said, we pay tax and have ration cards. If the house was illegal, why did the government let us live here for the past about 50 years? but never issued a notice. They said they will vacate only if the government provides us with an alternative, otherwise where will their family go? The residents said they understand development is important, but what about justice? How can the government throw someone out without a plan? The residents got notices, questioned if this is illegal, why is the government collecting taxes and utility bills? However, Badkhal MLA Dhanesh Adlakha has assured the residents that he will not let the demolition take place. He said the matter is in the Chief Minister’s knowledge. The BJP government believes in supporting people, not demolishing their homes. Tehsildar Vijay Singh when contacted by media persons clarified that no demolition will be carried out until orders are received from higher government authorities. Meanwhile, as the July 10 deadline looms, the residents are still awaiting a final resolution, hoping that the government will reconsider the issue in their favour.
