The Times of India               19.06.2013

Self demolition of structures built on encroached land in Surat

SURAT: In a rare action, residents of illegally constructed two societies have started self demolition of their residential structures in Varacha zone of the city in last three days.

According to the details available, Gokulnagar socieity located at Rachana Circle houses 22 shops and 48 residents. It was built illegally in 1995 when the Town planning (TP) scheme was not finalized. It did not have any permission of civic body.

SMC asked them to vacate in 2004 and was ready to provide alternate space in a plot located opposite to the existing society. However occupants did not pay up the requisite amount and their right was forfeited.

When the TP scheme of the area was finalized, a 24 meter road was approved on the land in question and civic body insisted on removal of illegal structure.

In the case of Garden gate apartment also built illegally by encroachment in 1995 and located in Nana Varacha area of the city, the whole structure is on civic body land where a 36 meter road is planned.

"There was no question of any alternate space for the people of this illegal apartment. However they have agreed to self demolition started work so we are happy." said

PD Munshi Executive Engineer, Varacha zone of Surat Municipal Corporation ( SMC) said.

In both the cases, nearly 75 per cent demolition work is complete and remaining work will be over by week end.

The Pioneer              14.06.2013

Anti-encroachment drive intensifies, 3 fined

The drains in cities are covered with slabs. These slabs offer vacant spaces. The shopkeepers use the spaces over the drains as extension of their shops. Thelawalas also place their thelas on the slabs to market their product. Sometimes people themselves cover the drains on their own and use the places as an extension to their shops.

According to RMC deputy Administrator Shailendra Kumar Lal the encroachment of spaces over slabs mars the beauty of an “unplanned city like Ranchi and derail the “incomprehensive” drainage system. With the arrival of monsoon fear of water-logging gripped Madhukar Gupta, the Advisor to the Government directed to get the slabs over drains vacated and drains de-silted.

Acting on the direction RMC constituted a team comprising security personnel, engineers, magistrates, labourers and A2Z people. The anti-encroachment (of slabs over drains) operations started on Wednesday. On the first day of the operation Harmu bypass road was covered.

On the very first day of drive many shops ‘cemented’ over the drains were bulldozed. Thelawalas were shifted. On the second day operation of the team intensified. At least three businessmen were fined with Rs 1,000 each for not complying with the de-encroachment directive of the RMC.

On Thursday the team of RMC focused in the Main Road locality and covered the span between Firayalal and Sujata Chowk. Those who had taken the RMC’s directions seriously and chosen to vacate the slabs could save their belongings those choosing to become the defaulters paid the price. Halla Gari of RMC was also on intensive duty on Thursday. Halla Gari is a mobile team of RMC that take off the buildings materials kept on roads fining their owners and seizing their materials. On Thursday the building materials kept on roadside in front of Hotel Capitol Hill were lifted.

Today its attention time for the “encroachers” of Kutchary – Lalpur – Kantatoli span as the drains and the slabs thereon across the locality will be on RMC’s radar on Friday. “Our aim is to ensure that no water logging happen as the monsoon intensifies in coming days. We will first get the drains freed of encroachment. De-silting will follow,” Lal said.