The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has pledged to halt its demolition activities in Bhalswa Dairy Colony, located in northwest Delhi, until August 16. This decision follows a directive from the Delhi High Court, which is set to address ongoing issues related to animal cruelty in dairies on that date.
The assurance came in the wake of an attempted demolition drive early on Tuesday morning, which encountered fierce opposition from local residents. The operation, involving bulldozers and a contingent of police officers, was met with intense resistance. Hundreds of residents blocked access roads, engaged in stone-throwing, and overturned police barricades, forcing the MCD to postpone its actions. A senior MCD official, who chose to remain anonymous, cited inadequate police presence and a hostile environment as reasons for the deferral. The MCD had initiated this drive targeting illegal structures within the 60-acre Bhalswa Dairy Colony. According to MCD officials, while 1,328 plots in the colony were designated for dairy operations, only 419 are in actual use for dairies. The remaining plots, which have been converted for other purposes or occupied illegally, were the primary focus of the demolition efforts. The relocation of operational dairies to Ghogha Dairy Colony, as mandated by a prior court order, remains on schedule.
In a recent court session, MCD’s counsel confirmed that the demolition would be paused until the court reviews the case on August 16. This pause comes in response to an earlier court order from August 9, which instructed the MCD and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) not to demolish or seal properties where dairies and residences coexist until the court’s next hearing. The court has also required individual dairy owners willing to relocate to Ghogha to submit detailed affidavits by August 13, outlining their relocation plans and the specifics of their operations.
Despite the court’s interim protection order, the MCD had commenced demolition activities, leading to legal challenges by the Bhalswa Dairy Residential Colony Committee. The committee’s senior advocate argued that the MCD’s actions contravened the court’s directives, prompting the high court to intervene.
The MCD’s demolition initiative follows a previous court order dated July 19, which instructed Delhi authorities to facilitate the relocation of dairies within a four-week window. The MCD had issued notices giving a three-day ultimatum to defaulters before launching its drive. In light of recent developments, the MCD now plans to form a seven-member committee to review the affidavits submitted by plot occupiers and to resume the demolition process post-August 16. Local residents have expressed their discontent, highlighting the severe impact of the proposed demolitions on their lives. Many argue that their longstanding presence in the colony, along with their investments in infrastructure and connections, warrants a more considerate approach rather than abrupt evictions.
