New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will begin a survey of parks and public spaces near Jama Masjid within a week to identify encroachments, a senior civic official said on Friday. “The high court has directed us to conduct the survey, and we will strictly comply with the order. The exercise will begin within a week,” the official said.
He explained that in several cases, land ownership is unclear, with some parcels belonging to MCD while others are held on a licence basis. “Once the real owner is identified, the survey will be conducted jointly with the department concerned,” the official added. A zonal official said that according to records, there is no permanent encroachment in the area. “What is seen at times are temporary encroachments, such as vendors setting up carts or makeshift stalls in open spaces. The survey team will inspect the area, prepare a detailed report in line with headquarters’ guidelines and submit recommendations. Based on the findings, appropriate action will be taken,” the official said. On Wednesday, a bench of Chief Justice D B Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed MCD to do a survey of parks and public places near Jama Masjid within two months to identify the encroachments and take action in accordance with the law. The court observed that while photographs placed on record showed apparent encroachments and illegal construction, no definitive conclusion could be drawn without verification. “In case any encroachment or illegal use is found, appropriate action warranted under the law shall be taken,” the bench said. A PIL has alleged that public parks and open spaces around the mosque have been encroached upon for commercial use. The court, however, declined to go into claims and counterclaims and directed the civic body to verify the allegations through a survey. Late on Tuesday night, MCD did a demolition drive to remove an illegal markaz complex at Ramlila Maidan near Turkman Gate under tight security. The structure included a banquet hall (barat ghar), along with a dialysis centre and other diagnostic facilities.
