Strict Kurseong Municipality demolition drive

Kurseong: The Kurseong Municipality today demolished a portion of a three-storeyed building in Ward 7, hinting at a tougher approach in dealing with illegal structures in and around the town.

The building, located in Dhobi Khola, is owned by Bidhya Sagar Prasad and has been under construction since 2003. “A two-and-half foot portion of the ground floor encroached on a drain built by the municipality,” said Govind Adhikary, the sub-assistant engineer of the civic body’s building plan department.

The drain flows on the right hand side of the building, said other residents of Dhobi Khola, located just below NH 55. They had complained to the civic authorities about the encroachment.

Adhikary said Prasad had been served several notices in the past and had even given it in writing that he would demolish the portion on his own. “But he did nothing of the sort,” the sub-assistant engineer added.

It was then that the board of councillors decided to send in its demolition team. Initially, the date was set for June 20, but it was postponed after it came to light that a member of the Prasad family had been injured in an accident.

Today, around 10 policemen escorted the civic team to the spot to fend off any possible resistance from the owner. The demolition may continue tomorrow, said a municipal employee.

“If we receive complaints about other illegal structures, we will demolish them too,” said Shyam Sherpa, the ward councillor.

Prasad on his part said he has filed a case in the Kurseong court.

“We have not received any notice from the court,” said Adhikary.

Source: The Telegraph