The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to launch a crucial survey of parks and public spaces surrounding the historic Jama Masjid within the next seven days. This move comes as a direct response to an order from the Delhi High Court, aiming to identify and address any illegal encroachments in the area.
High Court Directive Spurs Action
A senior civic official confirmed the timeline on Friday, stating that the corporation will strictly comply with the judicial mandate. The High Court has given the MCD a two-month window to complete the survey and take necessary legal action. The bench, comprising Chief Justice D B Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, issued the directive on Wednesday after reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The PIL had raised serious allegations that public parks and open spaces around the iconic mosque were being encroached upon for commercial purposes. While the court noted that submitted photographs showed signs of apparent encroachments and illegal construction, it refrained from drawing definitive conclusions without proper verification. The bench explicitly directed the civic body to verify these claims through a thorough ground survey.
Unclear Land Ownership Complicates Survey
The official shed light on a significant challenge facing the survey team: ambiguous land ownership. In several instances, it is unclear who owns the land. Some parcels are confirmed MCD property, while others are held by entities on a licence basis. The official explained that the survey would be conducted jointly with the concerned department only after the actual owner of each plot is clearly identified.
Contrary to public perception, a zonal official stated that according to existing records, there are no permanent encroachments in the Jama Masjid vicinity. The issue, as per records, is largely temporary. This includes vendors who occasionally set up carts or erect makeshift stalls in open public spaces.
Survey Methodology and Expected Outcomes
The dedicated survey team will physically inspect the entire area. Their task is to prepare a detailed report following specific guidelines from the MCD headquarters. This report will include their findings and formal recommendations for action.
Based on the survey's findings, appropriate legal action will be initiated. The High Court has made it clear that if any encroachment or illegal use of public land is verified, the law must take its course. This survey is a critical step in preserving the city's public spaces for community use.
This development follows closely on the heels of another enforcement action by the MCD. Late on Tuesday night, under tight security, the corporation carried out a demolition drive at Ramlila Maidan near Turkman Gate. The target was an illegal markaz complex that housed a banquet hall (barat ghar), a dialysis centre, and other diagnostic facilities.
