Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of unauthorized possession of Government lands by builders in urban cities especially in Delhi/NCR;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the step taken by the Government to check the unauthorized possession of Government land?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)
(a) & (b): Land & Development Office and Central Public Works Department of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), three Municipal Corporations of Delhi, Delhi Cantonment Board and New Delhi Municipal Council have intimated that there is no report of unauthorized possession of their lands by builders. Ministry of Railways have not indicated any unauthorized possession of their land by builders though they have informed that most of the encroachments on Railway land are in the approaches of stations in metros and big cities in the form of slums around railway tracks.
(c): DDA has intimated that as and when any encroachment is noticed / reported, prompt action for removal of such encroachment is taken with the help of police authorities. Further, the following systemic improvements have been introduced by DDA to check unauthorized encroachment and to protect its land:
(i) Uploading of photographs of vacant land on monthly basis.
(ii) Construction of boundary walls /fencing on vacant lands and prominent display of signboards.
(iii) Constitution of Quick Response Team for early detection & removal of encroachments.
(iv) Development of Mobile App to ensure timely detection / reporting of encroachments.
(v) Social vigilant teams have been constituted to seek assistance of general public in protection and management of DDA land.
Ministry of Railways has intimated that in order to safeguard of its land, regular inspections and survey are carried out at various levels and action taken in cases of encroachments. If the encroachments are of a temporary nature (soft encroachments) in the shape of jhuggies, jhopris and squatters, the same is got removed in consultation with the assistance of Railway Protection Force and local civil authorities. For old encroachments, where party is not amenable to persuasion, action is taken under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, 1971). To protect railway land, it also takes measures like provision of boundary wall, tree plantation at vulnerable locations.
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