Residents of slums in the Chander Road area of Dalanwala, Dehradun, have approached the Nainital High Court against the Dehradun Municipal Corporation's (DMC) attempts to demolish a community centre and school in the area. The residents claim that the structures are not on the Rispana floodplain, contrary to DMC's assertions.
Earlier this week, DMC teams arrived at the locality with a JCB to clear what they termed as encroached land, causing panic among residents. Abhishek Passi, a local resident and Youth Congress member, stated that the school has nearly 450 students enrolled and was built on land donated by his grandfather decades ago. He emphasized that the land is private and far from the river, calling the encroachment claims false. Passi argued that the corporation should have verified the facts before initiating demolition.
The community hall in Gandhi Basti, also targeted by DMC, is an old structure built by former MLA Rajkumar. Praveen Tyagi, area councillor for the adjoining ward, said the hall is an authorised structure built by rural engineering services and is used for weddings, functions, health camps, and other gatherings. A washroom complex built in 2015 with proper regulations serves the public regularly. Tyagi noted that such facilities are a lifeline for the basti and indispensable for the community.
Dwellers claim that DMC did not issue any prior notice before the demolition work, leaving them in constant fear. One resident said they were given five days to vacate, but the basti has existed for decades, prompting them to seek legal recourse. They hope for a stay order but remain fearful of DMC returning with a JCB at any time.
Residents have threatened agitation if the action continues without resolution. A similar situation occurred in Kathbangla colony last year when DMC issued evacuation notices, but no action has been taken so far.
Additional Commissioner Praveen Kumar stated that DMC's actions are in accordance with National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and the civic body will proceed further, though no immediate demolition is scheduled. Officials maintain that these actions aim to remove encroachments from all river floodplains in Dehradun as per NGT guidelines.
Meanwhile, social and labour organisations across the state, commemorating Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali on Thursday, raised voices against the repression of the labour movement and condemned the enforcement of what they called bulldozer raj against people's rights. They highlighted the burden of rising inflation, unemployment, gas shortages, and new labour codes on such communities.
