Chandigarh’s illegal and largest slum, Janta Colony in sector 25 will become a part of past today. The UT Estate Office is all set toraze the colony as part of making city free of slums.
Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Nishant Kumar Yadav today chaired a meeting of the departments concerned to review preparedness for the demolition drive. It was attended by many senior officials of the Police Department, Administration and the Municipal Corporation (MC).
Janta colony had nearly 2500 structures in the slum which was spread on about 10 acres of prime government land worth Rs 350 crore.
To ensure that this demolishing process carried out systematically Aministration has created 10 teams in which 1500 police personnel will maintain law and order during this process. Fire tenders and ambulances are also on the site to avoid any kind of mishappening.
The largest slum of the city is home to over 10,000 people. The land has been earmarked for a dispensary, primary school, community centre and a shopping area.
On April 23, the Estate Office had demolished jhuggis in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Phase I, and reclaimed 6 acres of government land worth Rs 250 crore.
Earlier, the Administration had tried to remove Sanjay Colony and Janta Colony two years ago, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the demolition. The stay was vacated recently.
In 2022, the Administration had demolished Colony No. 4 and reclaimed 65 acres worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore. However, the land still remains vacant. In 2021, the slum dwellers of tin-shed colonies were rehabilitated in Sectors 52 and 56.
The Estate Office had earlier freed around 200 acres after razing Colony No. 5, Mazdoor Colony, Kuldeep Colony, Pandit Colony, Nehru Colony, Ambedkar Colony, Kajheri Colony and Madrasi Colony.