New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s decision to allocate around 6,500 square metres of land near a Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) centre in Shahpur Jat to a private municipal solid waste contractor has triggered protests by locals.They are demanding the order be withdrawn, alleging that the land falls within the protected area around the wall of the historic Siri Fort.The corporation, in an Aug 31 order, allocated the land parcel in Ward 172 to South Delhi MSW Solutions Pvt Ltd, an agency responsible for collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in South Zone.According to the order, the land will be used for parking project vehicles, storage of equipment, maintenance and other operational requirements related to waste management.Around 150 residents, including women and elderly people, are sitting on a dharna against the decision, according to members of Shahpur Jat Village Society. They have alleged the parcel belongs to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and questioned how MCD could allot the land to a private contractor without first establishing its ownership and obtaining clearances.The stir intensified on Sept 2 when residents alleged that South Delhi MSW Solutions Pvt Ltd personnel reached the site with a JCB and labourers and attempted to enter the premises. In a representation submitted to authorities, residents alleged around 10 to 15 trees were uprooted and portions of the wall of Siri Fort were damaged.The locals contacted police and sought action from forest department. They urged authorities to stop work until the ownership and heritage status of the land are established and sought an inquiry into the alleged felling of trees and damage to the protected structure.“We have given everything for Delhi’s development. Siri Fort, Hauz Khas and Panchsheel have all come up on the land of Shahpur Jat village. This is the only piece of open land we have to celebrate Holi, Diwali and Dussehra. MCD has been very insensitive,” said Saroj Panwar, a senior citizen.Rajat Kaushik, another local, claimed no public project is allowed within 100 metres of an ASI monument.A Delhi govt school is also adjacent to this land. Manoj, another local, and a boxing coach, questioned the decision to use a tree-lined open space for waste-related activities, particularly near a school.Bharatt Panwar, one of the elderly residents leading the protest, said they will continue their stir till MCD withdraws its Aug 31 order.The residents claimed the proposed facility could worsen congestion in the densely populated village, hindering access to ambulances and fire tenders.MCD has said the land belongs to govt and is under MCD’s jurisdiction, adding that it is the corporation’s responsibility to provide the plot to the concessionaire for parking.
