The district administration maintained that none of the occupants facing demolition had ownership rights recorded in official land documents.
Delhi demolition drive: Bulldozers move in against 150 ‘illegal structures’ in Shalimar Bagh amid tight security
A massive demolition operation is underway in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh today as authorities, backed by heavy police deployment and paramilitary presence, began clearing around 150 alleged unauthorised constructions for a major road-widening project. Under the action, several bulldozers rolled into the area after the expiry of the official notice period issued to residents.
The drive comes amid the administration’s push to remove long-standing encroachments from land earmarked under the city’s master plan, with senior officials maintaining that all legal procedures had been completed before the operation began.
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#WATCH | Delhi: Demolition drive underway in Shalimar Bagh, with heavy security deployment and paramilitary forces alongside Delhi Police personnel. The DCP, ACP, and senior officials from several districts are present at the scene. Action was taken against approximately 150… pic.twitter.com/fF94KmCfNo
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— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2026
A large contingent of Delhi Police personnel, along with paramilitary forces, was stationed across the demolition site to prevent any disruption during the operation. Senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), and officials from multiple districts, supervised the exercise on the ground.
Authorities sealed several stretches around the affected zone as demolition teams moved in with earthmovers and heavy machinery.
#WATCH | Delhi: Demolition drive underway in Shalimar Bagh, with heavy security deployment and paramilitary forces alongside Delhi Police personnel. The DCP, ACP, and senior officials from several districts are present at the scene. Action was taken against approximately 150… pic.twitter.com/mzdM7b8CTt
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2026
North Central Delhi District Magistrate (DM) Shailendra Singh said the demolition was linked to a long-pending infrastructure plan aimed at widening a key road corridor running through the area.
According to the administration, nearly 120 structures between Madhumilan Square and the Cantonment stretch were found falling within the alignment of the proposed road expansion.
Officials said mapping exercises, surveys, and notices had been completed before demolition orders were issued.
DM Shailendra Singh stated that the land involved in the dispute had originally been acquired in 1980, and compensation had already been paid to residents at that time.
He said the present action followed multiple rounds of legal and administrative proceedings carried out over several years.
Authorities also claimed that around 157 residents had approached the High Court after receiving notices. Following court directions, hearings were conducted individually before final orders were passed.
The district administration maintained that none of the occupants facing demolition had ownership rights recorded in official land documents.
DM Shailendra Singh said the High Court had ruled in favour of the authorities on May 30 and granted residents time to vacate the land. He added that the matter was later taken to the Supreme Court, where relief was reportedly denied.
Officials argued that the road narrows significantly at one section despite being planned as a 30-metre-wide corridor under the Master Plan, causing severe congestion and waterlogging during monsoon periods.
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