Large-scale demarcation, verificationdrive begins on defence land adjoining COD

 

 

FOLLOWINGa firm stand by the Ministry of Defence, tension has gripped encroachers over land belonging to the Central Ordnance Depot (COD) in the city. Acting on the Ministry’s directions, authorities have launched a large-scale demarcation and verification drive on valuable defence land adjoining the COD. Unlike previous exercises limited to boundary marking, the current operation is using advanced technology to accurately identify encroachments.

 

Satellite imagery and digital mapping are being employed to create a foolproof record of illegal constructions, ensuring transparency and preventing any manipulation of facts during future legal or demolition proceedings. Defence Estate Officer, Neha Gupta, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, informed that third phase survey of defence land is being conducted since two-years in 37 DEO circles throughout the country.

 

One-third defence land is surveyed every year and its findings will be given to concerned departments. Survey is being jointly conducted by Defence Estate Office, Cantonment Board, Army and State Government to take prompt action on the report till year end. Map of surveyed land will be created through DGPS machine.

 

The primary focus is on Gokalpur Market and nearby areas, long suspected of large-scale encroachment on defence land. Officials believe the encroachments are the result of years of administrative loopholes and alleged collusion, enabling illegal commercial activity on strategically sensitive defence property. 

 

The Defence Ministry’s decisive action has reportedly caused panic among land mafias and unauthorised occupants. Once the survey is completed, strict action is expected, including demolition of illegal structures and eviction of encroachers. The co-ordinated effort by civil and military authorities is being described as one of the city’s largest anti-encroachment drives, signalling zero tolerance towards misuse of defence land.