The Calcutta High Court has instructed the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation to demolish an unauthorized construction in Shantinagar, Salt Lake Sector V, setting a 1 pm deadline for completion, alongside the disconnection of power and water supplies. The order, issued by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, came after the builder failed to comply with a previous court summons. Residents were granted the right to approach the court for rehabilitation. While the demolition process began, it faced resistance from locals, echoing previous attempts to demolish illegal structures. The court's ruling signifies a critical step in addressing safety, infrastructure, and urban development concerns associated with unauthorized constructions.
The Calcutta High Court issued a directive last week, instructing the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to proceed with the demolition of an unauthorised construction situated in Shantinagar, Salt Lake Sector V. The court specified a deadline of 1 pm for the demolition to be completed, along with the severing of power and water connections to the building. Additionally, the court required the corporation to furnish an action taken report (ATR) by the following day.
This significant ruling was delivered by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay after the builder of the unauthorised construction failed to comply with a prior court order, which had called for their appearance. The legal counsel representing the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation informed the court that the builder had disregarded the notice to attend the hearing at the corporation.
In light of these developments, the court extended the liberty to the residents of the contested structure at 181 Shantinagar, allowing them to approach the court for assistance in securing rehabilitation. The petitioner, Panchibala Poley, initiated legal action by approaching the high court after the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation exhibited a lack of responsiveness.
Following the High Court's directive, a joint team composed of BMC officials, demolition workers, and law enforcement officers proceeded to the construction site to initiate the demolition work. However, they encountered local resistance during the execution of their duties.
It is worth noting that prior attempts had been made by BMC teams to demolish two other buildings designated as illegal constructions, but these efforts were thwarted by strong opposition from local residents.
The civic authorities had previously taken measures to address the issue, including sending a formal communication seeking assistance from the North 24 Parganas district magistrate for the evacuation of residents. The authorities also reached out to the police, seeking their support for the safe execution of the demolition operations.
Earlier this year, the civic authorities had initiated a process to address the growing concern of unauthorised constructions by issuing self-evacuation and demolition notices to the developers of a total of 322 illegal buildings. Regrettably, officials reported that these instructions were not adhered to, further exacerbating the challenge posed by such structures in the region.
The consequences of unauthorised construction extend beyond mere legalities, encompassing issues related to safety, infrastructure, and the well-being of the local community. Therefore, the court's ruling serves as a significant step towards addressing these concerns and maintaining the integrity of the region's urban planning and development.
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