In a continuing effort to protect the eco-sensitive Upper Lake, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the district administration on Friday conducted their fourth major demolition drive. The operation focused on removing illegal encroachments from the Full Tank Level (FTL) and the mandatory 50-metre buffer zone of the Bhoj Wetland in the Halalpura area. The drive, conducted between 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, was a co-ordinated effort involving the Revenue Department, BMC, Forest Department, and Town & Country Planning (T&CP) under heavy police supervision. Bulldozers were used to raze four major encroachments, including portions of a farmhouse, boundary walls, and several tin sheds belonging to individuals identified as Mohammed Amin and Roshanbai.

 

While some residents presented documents to halt the proceedings, officials proceeded with the identified illegalities. In one instance, a resident was granted a three-day grace period to vacate belongings following a formal request, with officials warning of forced eviction upon expiry. Large-scale encroachments identified A comprehensive demarcation exercise conducted in February has identified extensive violations across Khanugaon, Halalpura, Behta, and Borwan. The list of illegalities includes warehouses, factories, farmhouses, marriage gardens, and dairies.

 

In the Halalpura jurisdiction alone, authorities have mapped 63 permanent constructions and 121 hutments within the restricted zone.We first identified the boundary of the Boch Wetland. Then we marked all encroachments within a 50-metre buffer zone. In our jurisdiction, 63 illegal constructions and 121 encroachments have been found. Today, the Municipal Corporation demolished structures on its designated land, including a godown-type structure, a small residential unit, and a boundary wall in Halalpur village. For those where hearing procedures were incomplete, action will follow as orders are passed. The Crescent Club, which received notice on the 2nd, still has its boundary wall and a reception hall pending demolition. The Vaayu Restaurant and the adjacent blue-shed structure are also on the list. Government land encroachments will be cleared by the Revenue Department on April 15 and 16. After that, the Municipal Corporation will take up its remaining list, including structures on VIP Road and Kanu Gaon. -Harsh Vikram Singh, Tehsildar, Bhopal.