By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 7 Aug: Amidst claims of curbing illegal construction in Mussoorie, the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) took significant action on Friday by sealing a building under construction in the Galogidhar area. However, this move once again raises the question of how illegal construction continues unabated in the city despite notices, hearings, and stop-work orders. The building, owned by Nitin Khanna and located at Galogidhar on the Mussoorie-Dehradun highway, was sealed. The action was carried out in the presence of police personnel, following instructions from the Joint Secretary/SDM of Mussoorie.
Assistant Engineer Ajay Malik stated at the site that the individual was erecting RCC columns and setting up shuttering over an area of approximately 7×8 metres without approval. Show-cause notices and stop-work orders under Sections 27 and 28 had previously been issued regarding the construction. The notice was served on July 27, and a hearing was scheduled for July 30; however, the builder neither appeared for the hearing nor submitted a satisfactory response. An inspection report revealed that construction work continued surreptitiously despite the notice. According to the Authority’s report, the construction site is situated on the valley side, opposite the landslide-prone zone near the Galogi Power House. Had construction continued, it could have increased the risk of erosion affecting the main Mussoorie-Dehradun highway. Given this serious concern, sealing the building was deemed necessary. In its order, the MDDA cited various Supreme Court judgments—including TN Godavarman, Kaneez Ahmed vs. Sabuddin, and Rajendra Kumar Barjatya—to clarify that no leniency can be shown in cases of illegal construction. Referencing orders from the Uttarakhand High Court, the Authority emphasised that strict action against rule violators is mandatory. While the sealing operation at Galogidhar demonstrates the MDDA’s strict stance, it also raises a critical question: why are illegal constructions in the ecologically sensitive areas of Mussoorie and its surroundings not being halted in time? If construction continues even after the issuance of notices and stop-work orders, it inevitably casts doubt on the effectiveness of the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Local residents argue that unchecked construction in Mussoorie—a region vulnerable to landslides and soil erosion—poses a serious threat not only to the environment but also to road safety and the lives of the local population. In this context, mere sealing is insufficient; continuous monitoring, timely intervention, and stringent legal action against those responsible are essential. A team from the authority, including Junior Engineer Anurag Nautiyal and Supervisor Inderdev Nautiyal, was present at the site.
