In Sector 25,encroachments stall development projects

Roshni,a local resident,said: “The presence of hutments is a cause of nuisance in the area. The jhuggis are present in every vacant space possible. The area is choked with garbage and even slight showers turn the area slushy.”

There have been instances when jhuggi dwellers have hindered any attempts to start development activity. There are some who had been allotted houses under the rehabilitation scheme. However,they have sublet their houses and returmed to stay in the colony.

Several of these jhuggi dwellers do not even figure in the biometric survey.

Area councillor and deputy Mayor Sheela Devi says she has approached many officials to expedite development work in the area. “The sites that have been earmarked for a school,dispensary and parks have been encroached upon. I have given numerous representationsThe result is yet to be seen,” she said. Devi added: “The jhuggi dwellers have been asking me to get houses allotted for them,while the other residents of the area are perturbed by the presence of these hutments.”

Member of the Slum Development Committee of the Municipal Corporation Dr Amrit Bolaria said that appropriate steps need to be taken by the department sconcerned.

“The Slum Development Committee is defunct. Some measures can be chalked out to deal with slums if the members meet regularly,but this is not being done,” Bolaria said.