Residents In Tears As DDA Demolishes 'Illegal Structures' During Anti-Encroachment Drive In Delhi's Mehrauli. In Pics

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to halt the ongoing demolition drive in Mehrauli and Ladha Sarai till further orders.

DDA's demolition drive in Mehrauli

Residents responded when Delhi Development Authority (DDA) personnel dismantled alleged illegal constructions in Mehrauli on Monday during an anti-encroachment sweep. (Image Source: PTI)

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to halt the ongoing demolition drive in Mehrauli and Ladha Sarai till further orders, according to a statement from the Delhi LG office. (Image Source: PTI)

Earlier in the day, a delegation of BJP leaders met with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to discuss the anti-encroachment effort in Mehrauli. They announced that the activities would be suspended and the territory will be renamed. This comes after the Delhi High Court asked the city administration and the Delhi Development Authority to respond to a petition seeking a stay of destruction in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park region of south Delhi until a new "demarcation report" was completed. (Image Source: PTI)

Nearly 20 multi-story buildings, a considerable number of businesses and houses, and a private school building are among the structures built "illegally" in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park over the previous decades, which the authorities have acknowledged as part of the 'anti-encroachment' push. (Image Source: PTI)

After some parties approached the court demanding a postponement in the destruction, officials declared that only structures that are not involved in any dispute will be demolished. (Image Source: PTI)

The endeavour began on Friday, one month before a G20 summit scheduled for the park in south Delhi. The ancient park, according to the DDA, is home to around 55 monuments that are preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, the state archaeological department, and the municipal civic body. (Image Source: PTI)

Early this month, the DDA initiated a demolition operation in Mehrauli. According to the petitioner, the revenue minister of the Delhi government indicated on February 11 that a fresh "demarcation report" should be created because the current report had "some objections," and that no demolition work should be done in the area. (Image Source: PTI)