This story is from January 15, 2022

HC seeks DDA reply on plea over Kalkaji slums demolition

HC seeks DDA reply on plea over Kalkaji slums demolition
New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on a petition seeking a survey of the affected residents of the slums near Lotus Temple Road in Kalkaji and rehabilitate them in accordance with the Delhi JJ Slum Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015.
Justice Rekha Palli issued notice to DDA and asked it to file a reply and listed the matter for further hearing in March.
The petition filed by Santosh Giri and other local residents has challenged the action of DDA of demolishing the slums near Lotus Temple Road, Kalkaji without prior notice.
Some jhuggis were demolished last month. The plea sought temporary shelter with facilities, including running drinking water, sanitation facilities and clean hygienic surroundings in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The petitioner further sought survey and rehabilitation as per the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) policy of 2015.
The petitioners urged the high court to issue direction to DUSIB to conduct a survey of the affected residents and rehabilitate them in accordance with the Delhi JJ slum Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015. The petition also wants DUSIB to put on record the survey of the residents in accordance with their policy of 2015 and direct the respondents to provide temporary shelter to the dwellers.
The jhuggi clusters in Kalkaji have been in existence at least since 1990 and comprise more than 23 houses. The residents are mostly rickshaw pullers, daily wage labourers and domestic workers who live below the poverty line. They are struggling to survive amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the plea informed the court.
It added that the petitioners have proof of residence prior to January 2015.
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