Friday, September 1 2006 16:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Delhi's civic authority Friday began its drive to re-seal around 45,000 commercial establishments operating illegally out of residential neighbourhoods amid heavy police deployment.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took the precaution of arranging for police security in anticipation of strong resentment from those affected.

The process to re-seal the illegal commercial establishments was begun following an Aug 10 directive from the Supreme Court, which stayed the May 20 notification of the government allowing de-sealing of such property.

"We will start sealing illegal premises in all the 12 zones of Delhi. We have demanded police protection so that our officials are not attacked by residents and we do not face difficulty in carrying out the court orders," said a senior MCD official.

The 45,000 buildings had been identified by the MCD, but the number could well increase during the sealing campaign, he said.

MCD officials would survey the upmarket neighbourhoods in the national capital to locate other business establishments operating illegally.

Among the likely areas to be targeted in Friday's drive would be Greater Kailash I and II, Chittaranjan Park, Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Defence Colony and Vasant Vihar. These areas fall in the A, B and C categories of residential colonies to be visited by the civic authorities.

The MCD has from Friday also set up 24 special cells to receive complaints by residents giving information about such commercial premises in their areas. Mobile inspection teams will verify any complaint received and initiate action against the offenders.

The Central Government had on May 20 passed the Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Act that put a moratorium on the court-mandated demolition of illegal structures and sealing of commercial complexes in residential areas in the capital for a year.

However, on Aug 10 the Supreme Court, hearing a public interest litigation against the order, reprimanded the government for its legislation.

On Wednesday, the MCD submitted an action plan report to Delhi High Court informing about the setting up of a taskforce for each of the 12 zones to ensure that there is no delay in carrying out the demolitions and sealing.