The Municipal Corporation of Delhi carried out a significant anti-encroachment operation in the vicinity of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters on Wednesday, targeting illegal commercial establishments that had occupied public space.
Massive Demolition Operation in Jhandewalan
According to official statements from the civic body, the demolition drive specifically focused on the Jhandewalan area where the RSS maintains its central office. The operation resulted in the removal of approximately 15 shops that had been operating illegally on public land. These establishments included various temporary structures and commercial setups that had gradually encroached upon footpaths and roads.
The anti-encroachment action began around 10 am and continued for several hours, with a substantial police presence deployed to maintain law and order during the proceedings. Municipal officials confirmed that adequate security arrangements had been made in anticipation of potential resistance or protests from affected shop owners.
Addressing Traffic Congestion Concerns
Officials from the Municipal Corporation explained that the drive was initiated following multiple complaints from local residents and commuters about severe traffic congestion in the area. The illegal shops and temporary structures had significantly narrowed the available road space, creating bottlenecks that affected vehicular movement throughout the day.
Local authorities emphasized that the operation was conducted purely on administrative grounds without any political motivation. The proximity to the RSS office was coincidental, with the primary objective being the clearance of public spaces for better traffic flow and pedestrian movement.
Municipal teams used earth-moving equipment and manual labor to dismantle the illegal structures. The debris from the demolished shops was promptly cleared from the site to restore normalcy in the area as quickly as possible.
Ongoing Anti-Encroachment Campaign
This drive forms part of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's broader campaign against illegal encroachments across the city. Similar operations have been conducted in various other locations where unauthorized commercial activities have been obstructing public spaces and creating civic issues.
The civic body has reiterated its commitment to continuing such drives in a systematic manner to reclaim public land from illegal occupation. Officials stated that regular monitoring would be conducted to prevent the re-emergence of encroachments in cleared areas.
Local residents have largely welcomed the action, expressing hope that it would lead to improved traffic conditions and better accessibility in the Jhandewalan neighborhood. However, some have also raised concerns about the rehabilitation of affected small business owners who relied on these shops for their livelihood.
The Municipal Corporation has assured that all due process was followed before undertaking the demolition drive, with proper notices served to the encroachers in advance as per established protocols.
