Khairagarh. The issue of the alleged illegal colony built on maintenance land and Nazul land in the city is no longer limited to a mere land scam. The biggest question now arises: why is the Municipal Corporation remaining silent when the SDM’s investigation has confirmed illegal plotting and the Collector’s office has issued instructions for action?
The matter concerns plot numbers 114 and 115 in the Civil Lines area of the city. This land was once listed in government records as Edward Children’s Park and Garden. Before independence, it housed Alfred Park. Later, a statue of Raja Lal Bahadur Singh was installed there, but someone stole it and took it away to be melted. However, Raja Shivendra Bahadur reinstalled it at Lal Niwas in Dongargarh, and the land under the maintenance khata (land parcel) was sold off in parcels.
According to a government investigation report, over 100,000 square feet of land was divided into 22 parcels. The land was registered in the names of 17 individuals, and many parcels were resold. Now, large houses, complexes, and buildings are under construction.
The biggest revelation is that the Town and Country Planning Department itself stated in its report that no valid layout had been approved for this land. Meaning, there was no permission to develop a colony. Despite this, registration, name transfers, and construction continued for years. After this, the SDM office sent the investigation report to the Collector’s office. The Nazul branch then issued a letter to the Chief Municipal Officer, clearly instructing that action be taken against the illegal plotting under the Chhattisgarh Municipality Colonization Rules. But this is where the story becomes even more mysterious.
On whose instructions is the municipality avoiding taking action?
Despite such serious documentation, no notices have been issued, no action taken against illegal constructions, and no action taken against any responsible individuals. This means that the illegal plotting is proven on government records, but on the ground, everything continues as before. Now, open discussions are raging in the city about who is exerting pressure? Which influential people are behind the scenes in this entire matter? And at whose behest is the municipality avoiding action?
People raised serious questions
People are taunting that in Khairagarh, perhaps taking action against illegal colonies is a bigger crime than building them, because there are investigation reports, government orders, and departmental letters, but no action is being taken. The most serious question is: if the administration can’t take action against colonies built on land designated for children’s parks and maintenance land plots, what will happen to the protection of public land? This issue in Khairagarh now directly raises questions about administrative inaction, the influence of influential people, and organized land trade. The city is waiting, wondering if action will be taken first, or will the entire land be sold?
