National Times Bureau :- The Chandigarh administration on Tuesday demolished UT’s last remaining slum the Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 (West), paving way for the city to become the country’s first slum-free city.
On Tuesday morning, a team of officials accompanied by heavy police force reached the site and demolished the houses in the colony with bulldozers. By around 8:30 a.m., most of the houses had been reduced to piles of sand, bricks, and rubble.
Around 450 houses were demolished in the drive. However, four houses that had court-issued stay orders were spared.
The action has sparked outrage among the residents, most of whom are migrants. The residents have described the demolition as unfair ahead of the festive season and said that they have nowhere to go now.
According to the administration, a two-week notice was served prior to the demolition and residents were warned to vacate the colony by September 30.
200 police personnel deployed for security
During the demolition, the district administration directed the SSP to deploy four DSPs, women constables, and 200 police personnel for security. The Health Department was instructed to station four ambulances at the site. The administration stated that after clearing the colony, the land would be developed.
