By Arun Pratap Singh
Haridwar, 25 Aug: The Haridwar district administration has launched a comprehensive campaign to clear illegal encroachments from government land in preparation for hosting the Kumbh Mela in the year 2027. The drive aims at ensuring the development of the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor, as announced by the Chief Minister. According to the officials, the anti-encroachment drive has been launched with a meticulous scrutiny of land records.
District Magistrate Mayur Dixit has shared that the initial phase involves verification of ration cards. This has led to the cancellation of nearly six thousand cards which were found to be invalid.
Now the administration has also begun disconnecting the electricity connections acquired through these fraudulent documents. It is learnt that 243 connections have already been disconnected so far. Dixit has issued a stern warning to unauthorised encroachers and urged them to voluntarily dismantle their structures. He stated that public announcements are being made in affected areas. He warned that failure to comply would invite bulldozer action from the administration. He added that the Government has instructed the district administration and the departments concerned to expedite, both, the Haridwar-Rishikesh corridor project, and the preparations for the Kumbh Mela, which includes ensuring that Akharas are cleared of any form of encroachment.
It may be recalled that Haridwar has considerable part of its area under the Irrigation Department, which is presently managed by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department though the ownership is that of Uttarakhand. In view of this fact, the DM has also held meetings with officials of the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, directing the officials to immediately remove encroachments from government land and has asserted that Haridwar Administration will lend its full support to the drive.
In addition, other related departments such as the Forest Department, urban local bodies, Zila Panchayat, and the Public Works Department have also been tasked with making Haridwar district free of encroachments. All indications are that the anti-encroachment campaign will be rigorously enforced across the Kumbh city and adjoining areas ahead of the Kumbh Mela.
