The New Indian Express ·
Shahpur Jat residents protest MCD move to use their only open space for waste-management vehicles
NEW DELHI: “We have given everything for the development of Delhi. Siri Fort, Hauz Khas and Panchsheel have all been developed on the land of Shahpur Jat village and this is the only piece of open land that we have to celebrate festivals like Holi, Diwali, Dussehra. But the MCD is being very insensitive,” says Saroj Panwar, a senior citizen from Delhi’s Shahpur Jat .
Residents have been sitting on a dharna against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) decision to allot a 6,500- sqm land parcel, which they call the area’s only open space, to waste management contractor South Delhi MSW Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (SDMSWSPL) for parking vehicles and other activities.
The protest has been joined by senior citizens and young residents, who are demanding withdrawal of the civic body’s August 31 authorisation letter. Residents have also formally approached the Archaeological Survey of India and Forest Department, alleging damage to the Siri Fort Wall and uprooting of trees after work began.
