Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded the Railways to put on hold removal of jhuggies from the Railways land across the city till the time they are rehabilitated at an alternate location.
While the Railways authorities are taking measures to remove jhuggies, especially those coming in safety zone and for upcoming projects, sources said the immediate catalyst for intervention on part of the Aam Aadmi Party government has been removal of around 200 jhuggies near Sarai Rohilla railway station. The railway authorities are planning to come up with a second entry to the station.
Sources said the NCT of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act 2011 – which restricts demolition of jhuggies and is extended from time to time – has become a bone of contention between the State government and the Railways authorities, with the latter claiming that the law is not applicable over the public transporter.
“An eviction notice was sent to the jhuggi dwellers near Sarai Rohilla. They apparently approached the AAP government. A meeting with the senior railway officials was sought by the Chief Minister’s office, which was duly attended by some of the senior-most officials. It was brought into the notice of the Chief Minister that the Special Provisions Act does not apply to the Railways,” a source said.
While it was decided in the meeting that legal experts of Northern Railway and DUSIB will sit together and draw the exact meaning of the law. The authorities, sources said, also tried to arrive at common ground as the AAP government suggested some temporary measures to diffuse the crisis.
Officials said they have passed on the suggestions to the higher ups in Railway Ministry to take a view on the matter.
“Some suggestions have been made by the government. For example, if any specific land is required on priority basis for any project, the government of NCT of Delhi will be given sufficient time through DUSIB for their rehabilitation and re-location. They also suggested to the Railways to work out the inventory of all such land where jhuggies exist and the vacant land which could be offered for their rehabilitation and submit a proposal to the government of NCT of Delhi/DUSIB,” an official said.
