The authorities on Sunday began the demolition drive in the Haiderpur village area of Shalimar Bagh to implement a Supreme Court decision against unauthorised constructions on public Right of Way

District Magistrate (DM) of Central-North District S.S. Parihar said that the action was being carried out in compliance with court orders

In the joint survey conducted on January 10, 2026, it was found that a total of 143 unauthorised permanent (pucca) constructions exist within the prescribed 30-meter Right of Way, DM said

Officials said the demolition drive will continue until all illegal structures are removed to facilitate a road-widening project on a key corridor connecting the Shalimar Bagh Railway Under Bridge to the Outer Ring Road

The DM added that the current width of the road has been severely affected due to encroachments, creating regular traffic jam situations and causing movement difficulties for ambulances, fire brigade vehicles, and other emergency services

The DM informed that a public notice was issued in January 2026, inviting objections from the affected persons. The notices were also published in prominent newspapers. After considering all objections, an order was passed by the Land Acquisition Collector on March 20, 2026

The government presented the record before the court showing that the acquisition of the land had been validly completed, compensation had been deposited, and possession had also been taken

DM Parihar said both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the land acquisition and cleared the way for the encroachment removal drive, ruling that the public road project could not be stalled