Erect wall around Kathputli Colony to prevent encroachment: HC

The Delhi High Court today asked the DDA to erect a boundary wall around the Kathputli Colony to prevent unauthorised occupancy and encroachment of the vacant area.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said such a step was "essential" as the prevailing conditions at the site, where vacant houses are being demolished prior to start of an in-situ development work, "may imperil life and limb of anyone visiting the area".
The court said the Delhi Development Authority would be at liberty to demolish the remaining structures at the colony, after the DDA said it has alloted flats in Narela to the the colony residents eligible for relocation and rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, a court-appointed observer told the bench that 53 vacant units remained at the site and they appeared to be abandoned.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO on behalf of some of the residents of the colony challenging the demolition as well as their relocation to a transit camp at Anand Parbat.
As the NGO's lawyers raised concerns about facilities at the transit camp, the bench allowed them to visit and inspect the camp.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on March 20.