Schools facing sealing are promised relief

Relief is likely for schools operating from residential areas facing eviction threat in the wake of the Supreme Court-mandated sealing.

The government on Saturday said it would find a solution to provide permanent relief to schools operating from residential areas facing closure after May next year, the deadline fixed by the Supreme Court to vacate their premises.

Urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy said, "Schools have been given time until May. We will work out an alternative solution by then." However, the minister again refrained from giving any timeframe for implementation of the new Master Plan-2021, which is considered the solution to the ongoing sealing of illegal shops in residential localities.

Reddy said the government was awaiting the report of committees on land use norms in Lal Dora areas and regularisation of farmhouses and posh colonies. "The recommendation of these panels will be incorporated in the MP-2021. But efforts are on to bring out the Master Plan as soon as possible," he said. The minister ruled out the possibility of filing any new petition with the SC to seek permanent relief to traders from MCD drives.

Reddy emphasised that there was no escape from vertical growth as land is scarce in urban areas. But he said there was need to focus on developing infrastructure before allowing vertical growth.

He quoted Japan as a model and stated that new townships in urban areas were welcome.