Kejriwal asks to clear Chandni Chowk mess in a week

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday took stock of the Shahjahanabad redevelopment project in a meeting with all stakeholders.

The development comes a day after HT carried a report — Orders and plans but no action yet to clear Chandni Chowk chaos. The report highlighted how encroachments are defacing the Mughal-era bazar.

Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba said Kejriwal has asked representatives of all concerned agencies to initiate action against squatters and unauthorised construction within a week.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) assured the government to start removing the encroachments after April 6 as per the court order.

“As the NDMC expressed inability to act due to non-availability of police force, DCP (North) Madhur Verma promised to provide adequate number of police personnel as and when the corporation begins the drive against illegal construction. The corporation also assured that it would comply with the court orders with sincerity,” Lamba said.

On Monday, the Delhi high court expressed displeasure over the delay in Chandni Chowk redevelopment and ordered all authorities responsible to remove encroachments and illegal religious structures within three weeks.