Curation Team
PANCHKULA: In a major anti-encroachment drive, HSVP along with MC officials, razed nearly 100 illegal structures — including dhabas, shops, and other makeshift stalls — near Majri Chowk Thursday. It aims to clear space to accommodate residents of Gandhi Colony, many of whom are currently living in slum-like conditions.
The drive began early morning with heavy machinery and police deployment to ensure smooth execution. Officials confirmed that the land belongs to HSVP and the MC and was never designated for commercial use. “This land was meant to accommodate people in need of housing, not for unauthorised business activity. Today, we reclaimed it for its intended purpose,” said an official on site.
The cleared area will now be used to rehabilitate eligible families from Gandhi Colony, where a survey is currently under way. According to preliminary estimates, Gandhi Colony comprises around 1,000 structures. However, officials noted that many of these are either vacant or occupied only by livestock such as goats and other domestic animals. “The actual number of families permanently residing there is expected to be much lower,” an official said. “We are conducting a detailed survey to determine the exact number of households eligible for relocation.”
As part of the initial plan, authorities have demarcated 10-by-10-foot plots at the Majri Chowk site for each slum household.
