Gurgaon: The district administration is expected to launch a massive anti-encroachment drive on Wednesday, and seal all structures built illegally within 300 metres of the Indian Air Force (IAF) ammunition depot, a restricted zone, in Gurgaon.
As per a survey report, over 6,000 structures, including houses and shops, have been constructed illegally in the restricted zone over the years. And, nearly 50,000 people live in the area, comprising parts of Sheetla Mata colony, Rajiv Nagar (West), Sukhrali Enclave, Sanjay Gram, Ashok Vihar-3, Palam Vihar Extension, Om Vihar and Shani Mandir Road.
The anti-encroachment drive is being launched following a directive of the Punjab and Haryana high court, which on November 23 directed both Gurgaon and Faridabad administrations to clear 300-metre areas around the Air Force ammunition depots in the two districts. The administrations of both the districts have been asked to file action taken reports before the high court on February 6.
Acting on the HC order, the Gurgaon administration had instructed MCG to carry out a survey of the entire area to identify illegal structures built in the restricted zone.
"Removing encroachments is a sensitive issue, which may create law and order problems. Thus, we have asked for heavy police presence during the drive," said a senior government official.
In 2010, Suresh Goyal had filed a PIL before the high court, seeking removal of structures built within 100 metre of the Air Force depot at Dabua in Faridabad, a protected zone under the Works of Defence Act. While hearing the plea, HC had taken cognizance of construction activities in 900m area around the IAF ammunition depot in Gurgaon.
In 2015, the Haryana government filed an affidavit before HC, reducing the restricted area around the ammunition depot in Gurgaon from 900 metre to 300 metre. Subsequently, in 2016, the urban local bodies department gave green signal for temporary water supplies to families living in areas outside the 300m radius, which ended their dependence on groundwater and water tankers.
The Gurgaon ammunition depot has strategic importance in the northern region and is ideal for transportation of armaments in case of a two-front war. Also, it is strategically located for foreign receipts due to availability of the air bridging facility in the vicinity, which proved very convenient during the Kargil operations.
As per a survey report, over 6,000 structures, including houses and shops, have been constructed illegally in the restricted zone over the years. And, nearly 50,000 people live in the area, comprising parts of Sheetla Mata colony, Rajiv Nagar (West), Sukhrali Enclave, Sanjay Gram, Ashok Vihar-3, Palam Vihar Extension, Om Vihar and Shani Mandir Road.
The anti-encroachment drive is being launched following a directive of the Punjab and Haryana high court, which on November 23 directed both Gurgaon and Faridabad administrations to clear 300-metre areas around the Air Force ammunition depots in the two districts. The administrations of both the districts have been asked to file action taken reports before the high court on February 6.
Acting on the HC order, the Gurgaon administration had instructed MCG to carry out a survey of the entire area to identify illegal structures built in the restricted zone.
"Removing encroachments is a sensitive issue, which may create law and order problems. Thus, we have asked for heavy police presence during the drive," said a senior government official.
In 2010, Suresh Goyal had filed a PIL before the high court, seeking removal of structures built within 100 metre of the Air Force depot at Dabua in Faridabad, a protected zone under the Works of Defence Act. While hearing the plea, HC had taken cognizance of construction activities in 900m area around the IAF ammunition depot in Gurgaon.
In 2015, the Haryana government filed an affidavit before HC, reducing the restricted area around the ammunition depot in Gurgaon from 900 metre to 300 metre. Subsequently, in 2016, the urban local bodies department gave green signal for temporary water supplies to families living in areas outside the 300m radius, which ended their dependence on groundwater and water tankers.
The Gurgaon ammunition depot has strategic importance in the northern region and is ideal for transportation of armaments in case of a two-front war. Also, it is strategically located for foreign receipts due to availability of the air bridging facility in the vicinity, which proved very convenient during the Kargil operations.
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