Despite ‘zero tolerance’,places of worship continue to encroach

Another temple has come up in Sector-16 market,and yet another has been constructed in Sector 43.

According to a survey conducted by the Administration around two years ago,there are 396 religious structures in the city. Of these,land for 92 had been allotted by the Administration; the rest came up illegally.

Action against these structures often leads to clashes,which makes officials tread a cautious line. Recently,a demolition drive in a gurdwara in Sector 38 W,where extra floors had been constructed illegally,resulted in a clash.

Former Mayor Harjinder Kaur said a few years ago the Administration had promised alternative sites for the religious structures they demolished,but nothing has been done.

“The Administration does not follow a holistic approach when it comes to stopping encroachment by religious structures,” Kaur said. “A few years ago,a gurdwara was demolished in Dadumajra and it was promised that a gurdwara,temple,church and mosque would be built at an alternate site. But no action has been taken so far.”

Councillor M P S Chawla said though he has complained about illegal religious structures,no action has been taken. The officials,he added,seem reluctant to act in such cases.

Meanwhile,Home Secretary Ram Niwas recently held a meeting to discuss the problem. One issue that came up for discussion in the meeting was that many people encroach on government land in the garb of constructing a place of worship.

Additional Deputy Commissioner P S Shergill said a separate policy would be prepared for old structures — in place for 30 years or more — and that fresh encroachments would be removed.

The community concerned,Shergill said,would be taken into confidence and asked to remove the structures themselves. If they don’t,he added,action would follow.