4 days ago
Delhi Slum Residents Seek Rahul Gandhi’s Help Against Eviction
People living in three slum areas in Delhi may have to move to Savda Ghevra.
A court has given them six weeks to leave their homes.
The residents met Rahul Gandhi and asked him to help.
They say the new place is about 45 kilometres away.
They worry adults may lose their jobs and children may struggle to attend school.
They also fear losing easy access to hospitals and other services.
Residents say they are willing to move but want homes closer to where they live now.
The Centre says the land must be cleared to protect nearby defence facilities, while the court said the new area should receive schools, electricity, cooking gas, transport passes and dispensaries.
Residents of Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Colony met Rahul Gandhi seeking help against relocation.
About 717 families, or an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people, could be affected.
The Delhi High Court gave residents six weeks to vacate and move to Savda Ghevra, about 45 kilometres away.
Residents say the move could threaten jobs, children’s schooling, healthcare access and the safety of women and girls.
The Centre says eviction is needed to protect defence infrastructure near an operational Air Force Station, while the court ordered rehabilitation amenities.
- Who
- Residents of Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Colony; Rahul Gandhi; the Centre; and the Delhi High Court.
- What
- Residents sought intervention against a court-ordered relocation from their slum clusters to alternative accommodation in Savda Ghevra.
- Where
- The residents live near the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi and met at the All India Congress Committee office on 24 Akbar Road; Savda Ghevra is the proposed relocation site.
- When
- The residents met Rahul Gandhi on Saturday; the Delhi High Court issued its relocation order on Tuesday.
- Why
- The Centre cited defence and security needs, while residents said relocation could disrupt livelihoods, education, healthcare access and safety.
Residents’ concerns
Authorities’ position
Location of rehabilitation
Residents’ concerns
Residents say they are willing to relocate but want alternative accommodation near their current homes. They refer to a policy they understood as providing housing at the existing site or within roughly three to five kilometres.
Authorities’ position
The court-approved alternative accommodation is at Savda Ghevra, and the Delhi High Court rejected the residents’ claim that the eviction process violated the 2015 rehabilitation policy.
Livelihood and essential services
Residents’ concerns
Residents say a move 45 kilometres away could make early-morning commutes, employment, children’s education and access to Safdarjung Hospital and a nearby girls’ school difficult.
Authorities’ position
The court directed authorities to honour undertakings providing schools, electricity, LPG connections, bus passes and dispensaries at Savda Ghevra.
Reason for eviction
Residents’ concerns
Residents say they have lived in the area for around 100 years and want rehabilitation plans to address livelihood, education, healthcare and safety. They allege the proposed site has problems involving drugs, alcohol and crime.
Authorities’ position
The Centre says the clusters are in a protected zone immediately next to an operational Air Force Station and that removing unauthorised construction is necessary for defence infrastructure and other public and security purposes.
Key facts
- Affected clusters
- Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Colony
- Estimated affected population
- Around 717 families, comprising approximately 3,000 to 5,000 people
- Proposed relocation site
- Savda Ghevra, approximately 45 kilometres from the residents’ current homes
- Court deadline
- Residents were given six weeks to vacate and relocate
- Court ruling
- The Delhi High Court rejected the claim that the eviction process violated the Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015
- Rehabilitation oversight
- The court constituted a monitoring committee to supervise rehabilitation
- Promised amenities
- Schools, electricity, LPG connections, bus passes and dispensaries at Savda Ghevra
- Centre’s stated rationale
- Removing unauthorised construction from a protected zone near an operational Air Force Station to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure
Quotes
Another resident
An unnamed resident opposing the proposed relocation
“We have come here to Rahul Gandhi ji's office because our homes are being demolished. We want to present our grievances and problems to him. A High Court Division Bench has dismissed our case and directed us to move to Savda Ghevra.”
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
“We are not refusing to move. If the government needs this land, we are not objecting. We are willing to relocate, but we should be treated fairly. We have been living there for around 100 years.”
rediff.com
Resident of the affected slum clusters
Resident opposing relocation to Savda Ghevra
“We are not refusing to move. If the government needs this land, we are not objecting. We are willing to relocate, but we should be treated fairly. We have been living there for around 100 years.”
telegraphindia.com
“We are being sent to Savda Ghevra, which is 45 km away. Our children will not have access to education and we will not have employment opportunities. How can we move so far away?”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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