Authorities carried out an anti-encroachment drive in northwest Delhi's Shalimar Bagh locality on Sunday, clearing years of encroachments to improve emergency access.
The drive, which occurred amid tight security, was carried out following due legal process and after several attempts over the years to clear the site.
District Magistrate Shailendra Singh said the land was acquired in 1980 and compensation was paid to affected occupants at that time.
A total of 157 individuals submitted applications, which were examined through a hearing process, and none were found to be owners of the land.
Notices were served to all affected persons, and they were given adequate opportunities to present their cases.
The high court ruled in favour of the administration, granting residents seven weeks to vacate the premises voluntarily.
The apex court later dismissed their plea, clearing the way for the administration to proceed with the demolition drive.
The road passing through the area is designated as a 30-metre-wide corridor under the city's master plan, but a narrow bottleneck exists at the encroached stretch, creating traffic and civic challenges.
The clearance should have been undertaken much earlier but was delayed for various reasons.
