MCD continues crackdown on illegal construction in Delhi

New Delhi [India], July 29 (ANI): The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) continued its action against illegal construction in different parts of the city. The drive was carried out under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act to remove buildings and structures built without permission.
During the latest action, MCD demolished 14 illegally built properties and sealed one property for breaking building rules. Officials also issued 16 show-cause notices to property owners, asking them to explain why action should not be taken against them.
Since June 1, 2026, MCD has been carrying out regular drives across Delhi. So far, 681 unauthorised properties have been demolished, and 398 properties have been sealed. Legal action has also been started against many people who violated the rules.
MCD said that illegal construction is not only against the law but can also put people's safety at risk. It can affect proper city planning and create problems for nearby residents. The Corporation said it will continue taking action wherever such violations are found.
The civic body has requested people not to start any construction without getting approval from the concerned department. It appealed to citizens to follow the rules and get all necessary permissions before beginning any building work.
On the other hand, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi government to complete the removal of encroachments from forest land in Sadulajab, Saket, within four months, in accordance with law and after following the principles of natural justice.\
The Tribunal disposed of the matter after being informed that challenges to demolition proceedings had concluded and applications filed under the Indian Forest Act had already been rejected by the Forest Settlement Officer.
A bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad passed the direction while hearing an application filed by Corruption Removal Society through its secretary Vinay Kumar Walia, alleging that the forest land had been encroached upon by land mafia, nearly 50 per cent of the forest area had been deforested, and illegal constructions had come up on the land.
The Tribunal noted that a Joint Committee, constituted in May 2024, found that the area available on the ground was significantly smaller than what was recorded in revenue records.
The committee also reported loss of tree canopy, encroachments through building extensions, damaged boundary walls, permanent structures within the forest land, and heaps of garbage and plastic waste adversely affecting the habitat of birds and squirrels.
During the hearing, counsel for the Government of NCT of Delhi informed the Tribunal that demolition notices had earlier been challenged before the Delhi High Court.
The High Court had directed the authorities to provide the demarcation report and allow the affected persons to pursue remedies before the Forest Settlement Officer under the Indian Forest Act. It was further submitted that those applications had since been dismissed by orders dated May 7, 2026, paving the way for removal of the encroachments.
Recording the submission, the NGT directed the Delhi government to complete the exercise of removing the encroachments within four months, strictly in accordance with law and while complying with the principles of natural justice. The Original Application was accordingly disposed of. (ANI)