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The Supreme Court, in a recent hearing addressing the demolition of commercial and residential units in Lucknow's Akbar Nagar, brought attention to the flaws in existing urbanization policies and pinpointed the government's failure to provide affordable housing as a primary driver for the surge in unauthorized constructions. The court, acknowledging the fundamental right to have a roof over one's head, emphasized a significant disparity between the needs of economically weaker sections and the actual implementation of housing policies on the ground.
During the proceedings, the bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta noted the challenges in urbanization policies, highlighting the prevalence of unauthorized colonies, particularly in cities like Delhi. The court cited the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) lack of information about a substantial percentage of acquired land as a contributing factor to the proliferation of unapproved settlements. The judges questioned the government's inability to bridge the gap between policy objectives and practical implementation, especially considering the large-scale migration to cities.
The top court's observations came as part of a broader discussion on the case related to the demolition of structures in Akbar Nagar. The bench expressed concerns about the demolition of commercial and residential spaces, indicating a need for a reevaluation of existing policies to address the housing needs of economically weaker sections more effectively.
Senior advocate S Muralidhar and Shoeb Alam, representing the petitioners, informed the court that demolitions began following an order from the Allahabad High Court on February 27. They further highlighted that not only commercial establishments but also residential houses were being affected.
Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that the matter related to the demolition of residential houses on government land along a riverfront is sub-judice before the Allahabad High Court, and the judgment is awaited. The ASG argued that occupants had constructed various illegal commercial structures on the riverbank without the necessary licenses or permissions.
In response, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on demolitions in Akbar Nagar, directing the Lucknow Development Authority and the State government to refrain from further demolitions until the Allahabad High Court delivers its judgment. The court's intervention underscores the need for a comprehensive review of urbanization policies to ensure adequate and affordable housing solutions for all sections of society.
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