Bulldozers Jamia Nagar concerns are rising as bulldozers are set to roll into this densely populated area, according to residents, who said panic has gripped the locality after notices were pasted on the walls of several structures on Thursday.

The notice is in Hindi, and a rough translation is presented here.

Bulldozers Jamia Nagar? Notice gives 15 days time

“This is to inform the general public that in Village Okhla, at Khasra Number 277 (Khizar Baba Colony, Muradi Road), Delhi,) land belonging to the Irrigation Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh has been illegally encroached upon, and permanent structures such as houses and shops have been constructed. These illegally constructed houses and shops must be removed within 15 days. Otherwise, in the event of any damage, you will be solely responsible,” reads the notice pasted on several houses.

The notices were put on khasra 279. Earlier, report on demolition to be carried out in khasra 277 in the neighbourhood was also published with the land belonging to the DDA.

The disputed land is located between Muradi Road and Khalillulah Masjid in Batla House. The area is densely populated with residential buildings of up to five floors and several shops. Some of the oldest buildings in the area are reported to have been at the site for over 40 years with some residents claiming to have been staying here for the more than 50 years.

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An eyewitness said residents are in deep shock following the notice being pasted on the walls and have gone into depression. Another resident on the condition of anonymity said residents are confused with this development and don’t know what to do next.

Panic grips over notice of bulldozers Jamia Nagar

A large number of local residents gathered on the street to express their desperation about what awaits them and where they will go if their houses are demolished. Following this, security has been stepped up in the locality with police deployment in the streets of Muradi Road.

Some residents even shared the notice in local WhatsApp groups, urging others to approach area Councillor Nazia Danish and MLA Amanatullah Khan — whom they had voted into power — to step forward and support them in their legal fight.

Reacting to the situation, BJP leader Wakeel Qureshi wrote: “My brothers, posting this notice in the group will not solve the issue. Action must be taken against the land mafia and those who file these complaints. Nothing will change in Okhla unless the people stand up. There’s no point in just talking in Okhla groups…”

A resident present at Muradi Road when the notices were being pasted said that people should approach the court to seek a stay order. However, worried residents on whose houses the notice has been pasted are avoiding the media.

Okhla Head building demolition day ago

Moreover the development has come just a day after an illegal building constructed at Okhla Market blocking ventilation on a strippish lane being demolished.

Residents said an unauthorised multi-storey structure, built illegally in the middle of a public lane, was recently demolished. They noted that the demolition was carried out due to safety concerns, obstruction of natural light and airflow, and repeated violations despite prior complaints and official interventions.

According to local accounts, the building was initially constructed illegally around 30–35 years ago. Over time, additional floors were added—most of them constructed covertly at night.

“The ground floor was built around 35 years ago, and then, over the next 20–25 years, more floors were added. It all happened gradually, mostly at night. The structure blocked air and light to about 21 nearby houses and obstructed the public lane,” said a local resident.

Residents and activists began submitting petitions as early as 2004. “Although local police occasionally ordered temporary halts, the construction would resume in secret. Eventually, residents took the matter to court,” said another resident.

A resident said such notices are only giving residents sleepless nights. He advised that people should be careful when purchasing flats and should cross-check the documents to avoid being fleeced by the builder lobby, whose only purpose is to make money—as is evident from how they have added extra floors to four-storey buildings in violation of building bylaws.