717 Households on Race Course Road Face Eviction by March Deadline

The Central government has issued eviction notices to residents of three slum clusters along Race Course Road, directing over 700 households to vacate their homes by March 6, 2026, or face legal action. The clusters—Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp, and DID Camp—are located near the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg (formerly known as Race Course Road, though land records still use the old name). Notices were served on Thursday by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, as part of efforts to reclaim government land in high-security central zones of the capital.

The affected residents, totaling 717 households, have been allotted alternative accommodation in the form of pucca flats at the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) Colony in Savda Ghevra, approximately 45 kilometers away in northwest Delhi. Officials stated that the rehabilitation follows surveys and eligibility assessments under the city's slum rehabilitation policy. Many occupants reportedly welcome the move, as it provides permanent, improved housing compared to their current jhuggi-jhopri (JJ) settlements on government land. The notices emphasize immediate possession of the allotted flats and compulsory vacation of the current premises by the deadline.

This action aligns with broader initiatives to secure and redevelop prime government land in sensitive areas around key institutions, including the Prime Minister's residence. The clusters' proximity to the high-profile location has prompted the focused clearance drive, though authorities describe it as a routine enforcement of land laws rather than a direct link to any new residential project for the Prime Minister. Similar rehabilitation and eviction processes have occurred in Delhi in the past for security, beautification, or development purposes, often involving court oversight to ensure due process.

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Residents must comply with the directive or risk forced eviction and legal proceedings. The relocation offers a shift from informal settlements to formal housing, potentially improving access to basic amenities, though the distant location of Savda Ghevra may pose challenges related to livelihoods, commuting, and community ties for some families. Officials have urged cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition, highlighting that the allotments were determined after joint surveys conducted in January 2024.

The development comes amid ongoing urban planning debates in Delhi, where slum rehabilitation balances housing rights with land management in densely populated central areas. As the March 6 deadline approaches, authorities are expected to monitor compliance closely, with provisions in place for those eligible under the rehabilitation scheme.

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