#RealtyNewsRoundUp: No Punitive Action Against Unauthorised Colonies, Slums In Delhi Till Dec 2020

President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Act, 2017. The new law has extended time until December 31, 2020 to protect some slums and unauthorised colonies in the national capital region from punitive action till a framework for orderly arrangements is in place. The latest law amends the 2011 Act that barred an action by any local authority till December 31, 2017 against encroachment or unauthorised development as of January 1, 2006, unauthorised colonies and villages that existed on March 31, 2002 and where construction took place up till February 8, 2007.

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According to a data released by the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, out of Rs 9,860 crore released to 60 cities under the Smart City Mission only seven per cent, or about Rs 645 crore, has been utilised so far. Of the Rs 196 crore released to each of around 40 cities, Ahmedabad has spent the maximum amount of Rs 80.15 crore, followed by Indore (Rs 70.69 crore), Surat (Rs 43.41 crore) and Bhopal (Rs 42.86 crore). On the other hand, the cities that have not utilised the sanctioned funds well include Andaman and Nicobar (Rs 54 lakh), Ranchi (Rs 35 lakh), and Aurangabad (Rs 85 lakh).

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In a press conference held at the national capital's Civic Centre, North Delhi Mayor Preety Agarwal announced that all 104 wards of the NDMC were now open defecation-free. "From December 31, 2017, now all 104 wards under the jurisdiction of the NDMC are open defecation-free. North corporation has adequate number of community and public toilets according to the yardsticks of the Swachh Bharat Mission," she said. In order to promote this further, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) is now planning to carry out a feasibility survey to assess if public toilets in its area can be opened during night time.

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Air pollution in Delhi on January 1 stood on the brink of the emergency level due to a rapid build-up of particulate matter owing to foggy conditions. According to reports, a massive traffic jam was reported in the Central Delhi area as over 2.5 lakh people gathered at India Gate to mark the first day of the New Year. The day's average air quality index (AQI) was at 400, classified as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This number was just one point short of the 'severe' mark and worse than January 1 of 2016 and 2017.  

Source: Media reports