Chander road slum dwellers go to court against DMC’s threat of demolition

Dehradun: Residents of slums in the Chander Road area of Dalanwala have moved the Uttarakhand high court (HC) against the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) attempts to demolish a community centre and school in the locality, which the civic body claims are situated on the Rispana river floodplain. Officials said that the proposed action is in line with National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines mandating the removal of encroachments from river floodplains in Dehradun.Tensions escalated earlier this week when DMC teams arrived in the area with a JCB to clear what they described as “encroached” land, triggering panic among residents. “The school here has nearly 450 students enrolled. The land was donated by my grandfather decades ago. It is built on private land and is far from the river. Any claim that this is an encroachment is false. The corporation should have verified facts before initiating demolition,” said Abhishek Passi, a resident.Meanwhile, education department officials, who had been notified by the civic body of the location of the school in the floodplain zone, said that the department will ensure that there is no academic loss and will find an alternate location where the school can be shifted, if necessary.Residents also said the Gandhi Basti community hall, which was marked for demolition, is an old, authorised structure built during the tenure of former Cong MLA Rajkumar. “It was constructed by the rural engineering services. We hold weddings, functions, health camps and other gatherings there. The washroom complex was also built in 2015 following due procedure. It serves hundreds of people and is the only such facility in the area. For a basti, such infrastructure is a lifeline,” said Praveen Tyagi, councillor of an adjoining ward.Residents alleged that no prior notice was issued before the demolition attempt, leaving them fearful of further action. “They gave us five days to pack our belongings, but the basti has existed for decades. That is why we have approached the court. We are hoping for a stay, but until then, we fear the DMC could return with a JCB at any time,” said a resident.Locals have warned of protests if the demolition drive continues without resolution. A similar situation had arisen in Kathbangla colony last year when DMC issued eviction notices, though no demolition followed.Speaking to TOI about the issue, additional commissioner Praveen Kumar said, “The civic body’s actions were in compliance with NGT orders.” He added that “while no immediate demolition drive is scheduled, further action will be taken as per procedure.”Meanwhile, on Thursday, social and labour organisations across the state, marking Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali’s commemoration, criticised what they described as “increasing repression of labour” and condemned the use of “bulldozer raj against vulnerable communities already grappling with inflation, unemployment, gas shortages and new labour codes.”