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Authorities from the Uttar Pradesh Housing Development Board (UPHDB) carried out a major demolition drive in Meerut's Shastri Nagar, bringing down an illegal commercial complex built on a residential plot. The action followed a Supreme Court directive stressing strict enforcement of zoning laws and action against unauthorised constructions. The operation, completed in five hours under police protection, proceeded peacefully. The court, led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, had ruled that such violations cannot be legitimised by time or investment and warned of disciplinary action against complicit officials. The demolition marks a firm stance on land-use enforcement and signals Uttar Pradesh's push for planned, lawful urban development.
Authorities from the Uttar Pradesh Housing Development Board (UPHDB) undertook a significant enforcement operation earlier this week to demolish an illegal commercial complex that had been constructed on a residential plot located in Shastri Nagar's Central Market area in Meerut. The move was undertaken in compliance with a Supreme Court directive issued late last year, which had emphasised the importance of maintaining strict control over unauthorised developments and ensuring that zoning regulations are upheld across urban areas in the state. Advertisement
Officials stated that the demolition process took nearly five hours, during which a major portion of the illegal structure was razed to the ground, and the remaining part was sealed to be dealt with in a subsequent phase. The operation was executed under police protection to maintain law and order, though officials noted that there was no obstruction or protest from the property owner or the local residents.
The action stemmed from a Supreme Court judgment delivered by a bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan. The court had made it clear that unauthorised constructions could not be validated merely on the grounds of passage of time or the investment involved. It stressed that such encroachments were a serious violation of the law and that immediate corrective steps, including demolition, must be undertaken. The ruling also held that government officials who permitted or overlooked such irregularities would face disciplinary consequences.
The court had earlier reaffirmed an order issued by the Allahabad High Court in 2014 concerning the same plot in Shastri Nagar, making this week's demolition the final execution of a long-pending directive. This action marks a decisive shift in how state authorities are approaching illegal construction cases, particularly in growing cities such as Meerut, where residential areas have increasingly faced pressure from commercial misuse.
The UPHDB's demolition drive in Meerut serves as a clear indication of the state government's intention to enforce zoning rules with renewed strictness. By implementing the Supreme Court's order without delay, the authorities have demonstrated that land-use violations will no longer be tolerated, regardless of the scale or investment involved. This incident also highlights the growing commitment to planned urban development and the accountability of officials in ensuring compliance. It is expected that similar enforcement actions may follow in other regions, reinforcing the message that urban governance in Uttar Pradesh will continue to prioritise legal, transparent and sustainable development practices.
Source: PTI
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