New Delhi: The Delhi government has sought a detailed report from the BJP-ruled three municipal corporations about the demolition drive that began on April 1, news agency ANI reported.
The action comes after the anti-encroachment drive led to tensions between the Delhi government and the municipal corporations.
On Monday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said in a press conference that this will be the “biggest destruction” after independence and render63 lakh people homeless.
He had also said that 80 percent of the city is unplanned and unauthorised, so will the BJP destroy 80 percent of Delhi.
“Delhi has not developed as a planned city. More than 80 percent of Delhi can be called illegal and encroached upon. Does that mean you will destroy 80 percent of Delhi?" he asked.
Kejriwal also went on to question the authority of the BJP for ordering more demolition drives given that the tenure of the current municipal corporation has expired on May 17.
“The tenure for BJP ruled MCD ends on May 17, so does it have the power to order more demolition drives?” he asked.
He also claimed that the workers are not checking the papers and razing bulldozers aimlessly.
"They are reaching colonies with bulldozers and razing any shop and house. Even if people show them papers to prove that the structure is not illegal, they do not check them," he said.
Kejriwal also said that his party is against the way the anti-encroachment drive is being conducted. He said that nearly 50 lakh people live in unauthorised colonies, 10 lakh in jhuggis and there are lakhs of people who have modified their balconies that do not stick to the original map.
"That means homes and shops of 63 lakh people will be bulldozed. This will be the biggest destruction happening in independent India," he said.
The anti-encroachment drive of Delhi’s municipal corporations has gained a lot of traction over the last few weeks.