The district administration and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) sent more than 10 loading vehicles and police team to shift around 200 families residing illegally in the restricted area of Bhadbhada dam site on Tuesday. However, none of families initiated to vacate the area. The illegal slum situated in-front of Hotel Taj, Upper Lake Bhadbhada area, is said to be removed on February 21. People living in Bhadbhada slum said that the Government has not made any substitute arrangements for them. They demanded the Government to relocate them to some other place instead of asking them to vacate the place in two or three days notice. District administration has asked to vacate the area in order to comply with the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT). People were given three days’ ultimatum to vacate the area. However, three days’ ultimatum was over on February 19. In the meantime, District Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh took a meeting with the slum-dwellers and allowed them one more day to vacate the area. Collector Singh has said that legal action will be taken to vacate the area on Wednesday.

 

District administration, Bhopal Municipal Corporation and police team were present at the site since morning hours on Tuesday. There were more than 10 loading vehicles to help people in shifting but no one initiated to vacate the area. Similarly, 15 days’ time was given to five families who have illegally raised structure adjoining Munshi Hussain Khan Talab in Old Bhopal has lapsed, but the authorities have not initiated any action against the encroachers, which is a clear violation of order by National Green Tribunal (NGT). NGT, back to back, had given orders to take action against these human settlements, illegal constructions especially in the vicinity of water bodies. The District and Municipal administration have already issued notices to concerned parties. Bhauri Ram, one of the residents, said there are around 1,500 people residing in the slum and there is no substitute arrangement done by the Government. He said, “District administration has not allotted other space for us. How can we vacate our house with children when we have no other place to go.

 

We are not denying to vacate the place but we are only demanding another place to be allotted.” Officials said that BMC has to submit an action report to NGT on March 12. Earlier on February 19, Collector and BMC Commissioner Frank Nobel A in a meeting held at the Collectorate has said that various deadline has been issued to vacate the area. He said, February 20 was the last date to vacate the area and people were suggested to shift their luggage in other optional area. Collector Singh has also suggested people to submit applications for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana where house is being allotted at a cheaper price and one can apply for loan from banks as well. On February 18, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh had visited Bhadbhada dam site and interacted with the people in their support. He also raised demand in support of dwellers that Government should allocate them space to shift from the dam site.