Chandigarh administration demolishes Janta Colony

                Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration 
demolished the largest slum in the city, Janta 
Colony in Sector 25, on Tuesday. According to 
UT officials, 10 acres of encroached govt land, 
worth around Rs 700 crore, was reclaimed 
during the drive. Officials claimed that this was 
the last major slum in the city. Around 6,000 
people were residing in the colony, which was 
around two decades old.The drive started at 
6am and continued till the evening. Although it 
was peaceful for the most part, there was 
some protest over removal of a few religious 
places 
inside. The team of the administration wanted 
to remove these religious places as well but 
had to stop for the time being in view of public 
opposition.More than 10,000 residents were 
removed, and 2,500 structures were 
demolished during the drive. Toilet blocks, 
which were constructed for slum residents, 
were also demolished. Fencing work was 
completed here late 
in the evening.

The slum spread over the area of the road 
leading to the cremation ground and MC parks 
in the sector. In an eviction notice issued one 
week ago, the estate office asked residents to 
vacate in a week. The public notice was pasted 
in the colony. Thereafter, most residents of the 
slum shifted from the colony."The demolition 
drive was part of the administration's aim of 
reclaiming public land for civic and 
infrastructural use," said a UT official. Pursuing 
the goal of a slum-free city, the Chandigarh 
administration reclaimed six acres of land by 
demolishing 
Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase 1 on 
April 23. The estimated price of the reclaimed 
land is around Rs 250 crore. A total of 1,200 
hutments were demolished during the drive.



Source : Times of India