Gurgaon: Authorities carried out a five-day demolition drive to clear nearly 100 encroachments along a 1.5-km stretch of the Farrukhnagar–Daboda road, a key link to the KMP Expressway.The drive aimed to ease traffic congestion and restore the road to its sanctioned width of 60–66 ft, officials said. At several points, the corridor had narrowed to 35–40 ft, leading to frequent traffic snarls and safety concerns.Led by duty magistrate RS Batth, the drive continued for 8–9 hours daily and concluded on Tuesday. Officials said it followed demarcation by the revenue department and multiple rounds of outreach to shopkeepers and residents to seek cooperation.Authorities said the stretch is a critical link for surrounding villages and townships. Encroachment details were conveyed in advance, and demarcation was reverified during the operation to address objections from some property owners.Nearly 100 structures were removed, including nine three- to four-storey buildings and around 30 double-storey constructions. In several cases, residents dismantled portions of their properties voluntarily and cleared materials from shops and rented premises. Some owners used heavy cutter machines to expedite the process. Officials said about 35 ft of additional width was reclaimed along the stretch.More than 100 police personnel, including the SHO of Farrukhnagar, were deployed along with teams from the civic body, revenue department, fire brigade, ambulance services and depot authorities. Two JCBs and a poclain machine were used in the operation.Farrukhnagar civic secretary Rajesh Sharma, a municipal team of around 20 staff members, and revenue officials, including patwaris, remained present throughout the drive. Officials said groundwork for the drive began a month earlier when the nodal officer visited the site and urged residents to cooperate.Officials said no protests were reported during the drive, despite initial concerns from some shopkeepers. Several residents later welcomed the action and called for similar measures in other congested areas. The Farrukhnagar civic body will now redevelop the stretch at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore over the next 10 months. The project will include improved carriageways, footpaths, green verges and drainage to improve traffic flow and connectivity.Officials said the drive is expected to serve as a model for future anti-encroachment initiatives in the region.
