Bulldozers Roll Over Kalkaji Landless Camp Amid DDA’s Ongoing Encroachment Drive

On High Court Orders, DDA Demolishes Informal Settlements in Kalkaji Landless Camp, Residents Protest Over Lack of Rehabilitation.

Kalkaji Landless Camp : The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has intensified its anti-encroachment drive following directives from the Delhi High Court, leading to the recent demolition of temporary shelters at the landless camp in the Kalkaji area. This latest bulldozer action, carried out under heavy police presence, marks another chapter in the city’s ongoing struggle between urban development and the rights of the urban poor.

The landless camp in Kalkaji has been home to hundreds of families for decades. Many of the residents are migrant laborers, domestic workers, and daily wage earners who settled here due to the lack of affordable housing in the national capital. These camps, although lacking legal status, have grown over the years into full-fledged colonies with semi-permanent structures, basic infrastructure, and thriving local communities. However, as per the DDA, these settlements fall under encroached land, which needs to be cleared for proposed redevelopment and infrastructural projects in the area.

The High Court’s directive came in response to a long-pending case concerning illegal encroachments on government land. The court, emphasizing the need to uphold the law and maintain urban planning standards, instructed the DDA to take necessary steps to remove unauthorized structures. Acting swiftly, the DDA launched a series of eviction and demolition drives, with Kalkaji’s landless camp becoming one of the primary targets.

During the demolition, bulldozers razed dozens of makeshift homes. The action was met with significant resistance from local residents, including women and children, who protested and pleaded for more time. Many alleged that they were not given proper notice or alternative rehabilitation options. Several non-governmental organizations and civil rights activists also voiced concern over the humanitarian implications of such drives, questioning the DDA’s preparedness in providing resettlement and rehabilitation to the affected families.

The DDA, in its official statement, claimed that due legal process was followed and that multiple notices were served to the residents over the past year. It added that provisions have been made under the existing rehabilitation policies to provide eligible families with alternative housing under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) or the Delhi Slum and Jhuggi-Jhopri Rehabilitation Policy. However, critics argue that the process is often marred by bureaucratic hurdles, leaving many vulnerable families without a roof over their heads.

Urban planners and legal experts remain divided over such demolitions. While some support the DDA’s actions as necessary for organized urban development and environmental concerns, others stress the need for a more humane and inclusive approach. They advocate for in-situ rehabilitation — allowing residents to be housed in the same area — to minimize the social and economic disruption caused by displacement.

The Kalkaji incident has reignited the broader debate over the rights of informal settlers in Delhi and the city’s preparedness to deal with the complexities of urban poverty. As the city expands, land becomes an increasingly contested resource, often pitting the goals of modern urban planning against the realities of survival for the urban poor.

Going forward, there is an urgent need for authorities to adopt a balanced approach — one that respects the law while ensuring that the vulnerable are not left to suffer without alternatives. Transparent rehabilitation processes, timely communication, and inclusive planning involving community participation could prevent such confrontations in the future. The Kalkaji bulldozer action is not just about land clearance; it is a reminder of the socio-economic inequalities that continue to shape Delhi’s urban landscape.