Defence Land Worth Rs 100 Crore Freed Near Delhi's IGI Airport In Major Anti-Encroachment Drive

Around two acres of defence land near Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi was cleared of encroachments in a major operation led by Defence Estate Office on Friday (23 May), Indian Express reported, citing officials.

This marks the second major anti-encroachment drive in the area within two weeks.

Earlier last week, one acre of defence land at Mehram Nagar in Delhi Cantonment was cleared of illegal parking and unauthorised occupations.

According to officials cited in the IE report, on Friday, the land that was illegally occupied for years was freed of encroachment.

They added that the initiative aims to free prime defence land from unlawful occupation and utilise it in the national interest.

"Safeguarding defence land is not just about preserving a territory but about upholding national security. Encroachments on Defence land are silent threats to national security, and strict action will continue against all encroachers. The reclaimed land will be used in the national interest," Varun Kalia, defence estates officer, Delhi circle was quoted as saying by IE.

The drive was conducted with coordinated support from Delhi Cantonment Board, local military authorities, and Delhi Police.

The operation also included the removal of longstanding unauthorised parking zones and impounding of a significant number of vehicles.

Several small and large slums and illegal animal shelters occupying the land were also removal as part of the drive.

According to the IE report, the current estimated value of this defence land is close to Rs 100 crore.

The reclaimed land is expected to be used for defence and military purposes to meet their growing demand for land.

With 17.5 lakh acres under its control, the Ministry of Defence is India’s largest land-owning government entity.

“Safeguarding these lands paves the way for strategic and operational readiness of forces,” the Defence Estate office’s Delhi Circle unit was quoted as saying by IE.

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