New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Monday launched a demolition and encroachment removal drive in and around Jama Masjid. The drive follows Delhi High Court’s directions to survey illegal constructions and remove encroachments around the historic monument.MCD teams began clearing unauthorised temporary structures from public spaces and parks in the Old Delhi zone in the morning. A senior civic official said encroachments had been made on public places and parks on the northern and southern sides of Jama Masjid and were being removed.“At least three parks in the area are also being cleared of encroachment,” another senior MCD official said.The civic body said the enforcement action was carried out as part of its efforts to comply with the high court’s directions and to safeguard public spaces. The teams removed certain unauthorised temporary structures with the cooperation of stakeholders and other authorities.The exercise was conducted peacefully, while the debris is being cleared, MCD officials said.Security personnel were deployed in the area to prevent any breach of law and order during the drive, an official said.
