Dehradun (Mohan Bhulani): Skyrocketing prices of residential land in the capital city of Dehradun have led to a web of illegal colonies sprouting up on agricultural plots. Large-scale plotting is underway on farmland in the city’s outer areas, where builders and developers are luring common people with promises of cheap deals, trapping them in fraudulent schemes. Hundreds of such cases have already surfaced, but now the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has begun tightening its grip on this illegal trade.
The MDDA has formed a special ‘flying squad’ team, which is actively conducting operations across various sectors. In the past two months, this team has identified and demolished over 1,000 bighas of illegal plotting. Additionally, sealing and demolition actions have been taken against more than 300 small and large unauthorized constructions. These figures speak volumes about how the public is being duped by flouting regulations. The authority has issued a stern warning that the crackdown on illegal plotting and construction will intensify further after Diwali.
Flood of Illegal Plotting
In the Doon Valley, there has been a virtual race to engage in illegal plotting and construction over the past few months. Developers are buying agricultural land cheaply and setting up colonies through unauthorized plotting without any approvals. Ordinary citizens are also getting ensnared in these traps in their pursuit of affordable homes. The cumbersome paperwork and various fees required for map approvals push people to start construction without permission, leading to unplanned urban development.
These illegal activities are most prevalent in the city’s outer fringes. Property dealers and developers, driven by the greed for profits, are brazenly conducting business while ignoring rules. Although the MDDA has been carrying out continuous actions, the cases show no signs of stopping. From September until now, the flying squad has razed over 1,000 bighas of illegal plotting to the ground.
Sequential Action Against Constructions Without Maps
The MDDA has sealed over 200 cases of unauthorized constructions in the last two months while cracking down rigorously. Most of these constructions are without approved maps and are on agricultural land. In some places, homes have been converted for commercial use in violation of maps, while elsewhere houses and shops are being built illegally on unauthorized plots. Residential flats are also being constructed contrary to approved plans. The flying squad is now maintaining sector-wise surveillance and taking immediate action.
MDDA Vice Chairman, Banshidhar Tiwari stated, “The campaign against illegal plotting, construction, and encroachments on government land will be accelerated. Instructions have been given to all field officers to conduct intensive sector-wise inspections, identify unauthorized constructions immediately, and take action. If any officer is found negligent, they will be held personally accountable.”
Awareness Campaign for Planned Development
To ensure the city’s planned development, the MDDA is keeping a close watch on illegal activities. An appeal is being made to the public to raise awareness: purchase only MDDA-approved plotting and group housing flats. After Diwali, identification, sealing, and demolition drives will be expedited.
