Fear of Demolition Grips Panchsheel Nagar; Locals Outraged During Drain Measurement Survey
Ranchi: On Tuesday afternoon—ahead of the monsoon season—an enforcement team from the Ranchi Municipal Corporation, accompanied by *Amins* (surveyors) from the Hehal Circle, arrived once again in Panchsheel Nagar to conduct a survey regarding a 62-foot-wide drain and to investigate encroachments. As is customary every year, the process of demarcating the actual boundaries of the drain was initiated prior to the rains; however, this time, the outrage of local shopkeepers and homeowners erupted openly.
During the survey, several shops and houses were identified as falling within the scope of encroachment. Some shops were cited for encroaching by up to 10 feet, while certain houses were alleged to be encroaching by as much as 32 feet. Consequently, discussions at the administrative level regarding potential demolition drives have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the affected families.
Local resident Lal Bahadur Sahu stated that his land was registered in 1976, and he possesses all the relevant legal documents. He added that the mutation (*Dakhil-Kharij*) of the property was duly processed by the then-existing Circle Office, and he has been residing on the same land for nearly 50 years. Despite this, he has received three notices from the Circle Office and one from the Municipal Corporation.
He explained that, in addition to his own property, 10 other shops situated on the land—specifically linked to *Khata* (Account) No. 210, Plot No. 1075, and *Khata* No. 51, Plot No. 1074—are facing potential repercussions. A notice received on May 29 instructs the recipients to submit their documents and present their case within seven days. He alleges that since the beginning of 2025, surveys have been conducted four times, yet the situation remains unclear.
Lal Bahadur Sahu pointed out that at the time the land was registered, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation did not even exist, and no corresponding maps or layouts are available in the old land records. He asserted that should the administration proceed with any punitive action, he would seek legal recourse in the courts.
Meanwhile, another local resident, Meena Sahu, remarked that surveys have been conducted repeatedly over the past 50 years. She claimed that she has already submitted all her relevant documents to the Circle Office and other concerned government departments. He stated that while the local residents themselves have been demanding the construction of drains and roads, they are being repeatedly harassed and intimidated under the pretext of land measurement surveys.
Meena Sahu remarked, "If there is indeed any encroachment, the administration should take a clear decision and initiate action; however, merely intimidating residents and keeping them in a state of uncertainty every year in the name of surveys will not resolve the problem."
Currently, an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty prevails in Panchsheel Nagar regarding the demarcation of the actual boundaries of the drains and the potential removal of encroachments. Local residents are demanding a transparent process and a permanent solution from the administration.
