Gurgaon: In its first large-scale demolition drive in Manesar, HSIIDC cleared 162 acres between Sector 3 and Khoh village to reclaim key industrial roads.Led by district town planner RS Batth, who also served as duty magistrate, the two-day operation razed 50 shops, five houses, and around 100 temporary structures. Four earthmoving machines and 50 police personnel helped carry out the operation.“Maintaining law and order during the drive was challenging, but public interest and maintenance of critical infrastructure are our top priorities. Encroachments will not be tolerated,” Batth said.Illegal encroachments had reduced the 66-foot-wide road to 30 feet, severely impacting traffic flow for over 100,000 daily commuters. The demolition team cleared a 500-metre stretch of a 66-foot-wide road in Khoh and another 500-metre stretch of a village road in Kasan. Though occupants of shops and houses were given advance notice and asked to vacate the premises, officials said there was some resistance from them during the operation.While HSIIDC had earlier acquired the land, locals have rejected monetary compensation and demanded its return. “I explained to them that these roads are lifelines for thousands. Encroachments can’t be allowed to choke vital public infrastructure,” Batth said.
