Fresh MDDA notice gives 116 Kathbangla families 3 days to shift

Dehradun: A new notice issued by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) in Kathbangla colony along the Rispana river, directing 116 families to shift to newly constructed Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) housing flats within three days, has left residents in panic.The notice, put up in the area on Sunday, directed residents to move into their allotted flats by Wednesday and warned that a demolition drive against illegal constructions in Kathbangla would begin on Thursday. It included a list of eligible families allotted units under the economically weaker section (EWS) housing scheme. The directive follows a similar order issued in Nov last year, when families were given 15 days to vacate and relocate to the DMC-built EWS flats."You are informed that in accordance with the NGT's directions to clear illegal encroachments along the river floodplain and after joint consultations among MDDA, the municipal corporation, the revenue department and the police administration, flats constructed by the municipal corporation were allotted to 116 families. All arrangements such as electricity, water and sewer connections have been completed," the notice stated.Municipal commissioner Namami Bansal confirmed that the flats are ready for occupation, adding that earlier delays were due to issues with the Jal Sansthan, which have now been resolved.Residents, however, expressed shock over the short notice. "How can we pack up our entire household within three working days? For months, authorities have been verifying documents, pasting notices and marking our houses. In Nov, when we asked about the EWS flats, they were not even ready, yet we were threatened with demolition," said Raman Pandit, a resident.Some families also raised concerns about the location of the flats near the floodplain and questioned their structural safety, claiming the buildings had suffered damage during last year's flooding of the Rispana.Labour activists termed the process "arbitrary". "These notices are being issued in the name of court orders. The EWS flats are also on the river floodplain. Can authorities guarantee they won't face demolition in the future? There is panic and confusion. Families have not even been told how to collect their keys," said an activist, requesting anonymity.MDDA vice-chairman Bansidhar Tiwari said, "This was the third notice issued to residents. We have been asking them for months to shift. The nearby houses have been ready for some time, and those eligible should move in."