It is a common phenomenon where people belonging to villages migrate to cities for a better life. But not everyone finds a roof in this city. With the capital’s population becoming skyrocketing every year and the accommodation prices being high, people resort to setting up illegal properties.
Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal has recently announced in a speech that unauthorised colonies are to soon get ownership rights for their properties. He announces, “Good news for people living in unauthorised colonies. The dream of getting ownership rights will soon come true.” This news comes as a great respite for citizens, as almost 1800 colonies were previous unregularised, denying them basic amenities and ownership.
Ratan Kohli, a member of the K-Block Residential Welfare Association in Sainik Farms says, “Even though residents have got together and made proper roads etc for easy movement within the colony but still the pressing issues are running piped water, sewerage and basic infrastructure like security for the colony are the biggest issues which need to be addressed on an urgent basis and can only be done once the colony is regularised.” Conrad, a resident in West Delhi feels, “The CM of Delhi has totally lost the plot. The illegal colonies means that these lands belong to the Delhi government and was used by illegal means to construct colonies with no approved paperwork at all from any of the civic and regulatory bodies. So, what gives him the right to regularise it?”
He further adds, “Land anywhere which rightly belongs to the government is encroached upon and slowly and steadily a colony mushrooms then in connivance with the civic authorities Aadhar, ration cards are procured and come election time tall promises made... who pays for all of this? You and me — the honest taxpayers. In that case, we might as well encroach come elections a free 25 or 50 feet plot is allocated in the name of the so called jhuggi settlers.”
As a solution, he advises, “Set the market price. Ask the settlers to pay upfront and then set the colony as authorised.”
Ambar, a South Delhi resident was upbeat about the Delhi CM’s decision saying, “By legalising these colonies, he has given relief and accomadation to thousands of people around Delhi.” He adds, “My only concern is that due to their nefarious origins, the architecture of these buildings might be compromised due to lack of regulation which can be considered as a point to note regarding legalisation.”
