Delhi authorities demolished approximately 150 to 157 illegal structures in Shalimar Bagh on Sunday morning, May 31, 2026 [1, 2].
The operation is part of a broader road-widening project aimed at removing encroachments in North West Delhi. Because these drives often lead to local instability, the government deployed a heavy security presence to maintain order during the demolition.
Reports said the drive began on Sunday morning and continued through the night [3]. Delhi police and paramilitary forces were stationed at the site to oversee the removal of the structures and prevent interference from residents or protesters [4].
The scale of the demolition varies slightly across reports. One source said that approximately 150 houses were demolished [1], while another report said the number was approximately 157 structures [2]. The authorities utilized bulldozers to clear the designated areas to make way for the expanded roadway [1, 2].
This action follows a pattern of urban redevelopment in the region where illegal constructions on public land are targeted for removal. The deployment of paramilitary forces alongside local police suggests that officials anticipated significant resistance from those occupying the encroached land [4].
“Delhi authorities demolished approximately 150 to 157 illegal structures in Shalimar Bagh.”
The use of paramilitary forces for a municipal demolition drive indicates a high level of anticipated conflict between the state and urban settlers. While the road-widening project aims to improve infrastructure, the displacement of over 150 structures highlights the ongoing tension between urban planning and the prevalence of illegal encroachments in Delhi's densely populated sectors.
