New Delhi, March 14 The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out an anti-encroachment drive in B-Block in JJ Colony, Hastsal, Uttam Nagar on Saturday, clearing temporary structures outside shops and reclaiming road space meant for pedestrians and vehicles.
Officials said unauthorized "thadas" (raised platforms), stairs, and temporary sheds in front of around 70 shops were removed during the operation, freeing nearly 380 metres (about 760 square metres) of public road that had been encroached.
The action is part of an ongoing enforcement campaign across the West Zone.
Similar drives were conducted at Vishnu Garden on March 11, Milan Market in Subhash Nagar on March 12, and Pankha Road on March 13.
Civic officials said the latest drive was aimed at restoring public spaces and ensuring smoother movement for pedestrians and traffic. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Delhi Police.
Earlier, it was reported that the corporation had sealed some shops. However, the MCD later confirmed that no such action was taken.
MCD teams, assisted by the Delhi Police, launched the action amid tight security arrangements, deploying bulldozers to remove alleged illegal structures of shops operating in violation of civic norms.
The drive targeted a row of eateries built outside the Uttam Nagar police station premises.
The action came days after a 26-year-old man named Tarun was killed in a clash that broke out between his family and neighbours in the JJ Colony.
According to police, the violence started after water from a balloon thrown by a girl from Tarun's family splashed on a woman from the neighbour's family during Holi celebrations.
The incident had triggered tensions and demands for strict action against illegal establishments.
According to officials present at the site, the operation involved bulldozers and multiple teams from the municipal corporation to demolish unauthorized portions of the structures.
Delhi Police personnel were also deployed to maintain law and order during the exercise.
Authorities said adequate security arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incident during the drive as a large number of locals gathered near the spot to witness the action.
A senior official said the action was part of an ongoing crackdown against illegal encroachments and unauthorized commercial activities in the area.
The police said they were present only to ensure security and smooth conduct of the operation.
Further action may be taken against other establishments in the area if violations are found during inspection.
A senior MCD official said that the anti-encroachment drive is a part of an ongoing drive in the west zone .
"Yesterday, around 2 km stretch was cleared in Subash Nagar and today there is an ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Uttam Nagar," the senior official said, adding that in the drive mostly non-permanent structures are being removed which were encroaching upon the road.