KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant anti-encroachment operation, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), under the supervision of its Special Task Force, demolished over 1,000 illegal slum structures in the Jailerwala Bagh area of Ashok Vihar, North West Delhi, on Monday morning.

The action, carried out with multiple bulldozers and heavy police deployment, is part of an ongoing effort to reclaim public land encroached upon over the past two decades.

Massive Anti-Encroachment Drive Begins at 8 AM

The demolition operation began shortly after 8:00 AM and involved joint coordination between DDA officials, Delhi Police, and other civic agencies. Over 250 personnel, including members of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and paramilitary units, were deployed to maintain law and order during the drive.

Security forces sealed off all entry points leading toward the slum area. Barricades were installed, and no unauthorized individuals were allowed near the site during the demolition.

Court Order Halts Demolition for Some Families

While the demolition affected a majority of the slum structures, a Delhi court had granted a temporary stay on the eviction of 250 families. These slum dwellers had earlier approached the judiciary, providing documentation to prove eligibility under the DDA’s rehabilitation scheme.

However, the DDA proceeded with demolition on the remaining unauthorized structures that were not covered under the stay order.

Why the Demolition Was Carried Out

According to DDA officials, the land on which the slums were built belonged to the Delhi Development Authority and, in parts, the Indian Railways. Officials claimed the settlements were unauthorized encroachments, with some portions dangerously close to railway tracks, raising safety and legal concerns.

“We are acting as per law. These structures were illegal encroachments on public land, including railway property,” said a senior DDA official.

Voices from the Ground: “We Submitted All Documents but Still Not Allotted Flats”

The demolition has sparked public outcry and triggered emotional reactions from residents. Sanjay, a local resident who claims to have lived in the Jailerwala Bagh slum for over 20 years, questioned the fairness of the action.

“I submitted all required documents to DDA years ago, but I haven’t received any flat yet. How can they demolish my home without giving me an alternative?” he asked, standing near the rubble of his hut.

Rehabilitation Measures: Over 1,000 EWS Flats Already Allotted

Officials clarified that the demolition is part of a resettlement and rehabilitation initiative under which eligible slum dwellers are being relocated to Swabhimaan Apartments, a housing project built by the DDA in Ashok Vihar Phase 2.

Here’s the current status of the rehabilitation program:

• 1,675 EWS (Economically Weaker Section) flats constructed under the project

• 1,078 eligible families have already been allotted flats

• 567 families deemed ineligible under DDA norms can file appeals with the designated Appellate Authority

• 9 families whose appeals have been accepted will receive alternative housing soon

A DDA spokesperson stated that the remaining eligible families will be rehabilitated in a time-bound manner, and the process is being closely monitored.

The Scale of the Settlement

Prior to the demolition, over 1,600 slum structures had been recorded in the Jailerwala Bagh area. These makeshift homes had expanded steadily over the years, with many residents claiming to have lived there for more than two decades.

The DDA, in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, had earlier conducted surveys and verification drives to determine eligible beneficiaries.

Public Reaction and Legal Pushback

The DDA’s action has received mixed reactions from the public, with some hailing it as a necessary step toward urban planning and land recovery, while others criticize it as an inhumane eviction during difficult economic times.

Legal experts argue that while anti-encroachment laws allow for removal of illegal structures, due process and fair rehabilitation must be ensured.

The Way Forward: Appeals, Relocation, and Urban Development

While the DDA maintains that due legal processes were followed, concerns remain about the fate of families still awaiting flat allotment. The Appellate Authority is expected to process pending appeals in the coming weeks.

Urban policy analysts suggest that the Jailerwala Bagh case underlines the urgent need for transparent, people-centric rehabilitation policies, especially in a city like Delhi where urban poverty and informal settlements are part of a growing housing crisis.

The Ashok Vihar demolition drive represents a major step in Delhi’s urban land regulation, but it also highlights the fragile human cost of redevelopment. As bulldozers cleared encroachments, they also uprooted families—many of whom now wait anxiously for resettlement and justice.

While the DDA moves forward with its plans to free public land from illegal occupation, the spotlight remains on how well it balances legality with empathy.