Slum sprouts, green paradise felled in mantralaya backyard

Bhopal: In over a decade Bhim Nagar, a slum in the backyard of state secretariat, has grown into one of the largest encroached pockets in the state capital by felling priceless green cover spread over 40 acres of land.
The area, once covered with lush green area offering an idyllic view, is denuded of trees. And it is now home to an estimated 35,000 illegal inhabitants.
A shocking loss of green cover and encroachment of prime real estate has been taking place right under the nose of officers of state secretariat, reveals a time lined imagery of year 2003 and 2016.Not for no reason the area has been carved into a municipal constituency, said those familiar with the development.
BMC commissioner Chhavi Bharadwaj said, "We are in a process of making detailed project report (DPR) to construct 5,000 houses under a housing scheme of the Union government to relocate residents of Bhim Nagar (1 and 2) and Om Nagar (1 and 2)." Comparing imagery taken a decade ago illustrates loss of hundreds of trees in the area. The range was once known for its spring water stream passing and lush greenery leading to horticulture department setting up its nursery.
Once seen as trespassers, inhabitants of Bhim Nagar have a right of way. From adjacent to the mantralaya block and horticulture departments famous 'rose garden' - all not barred. The boundary wall of slums now threatens to engulf gardens on Link Road No. 1.
"None of the houses are legalised. Under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), there might be some decongestion of the area," said BMC zone officer Anil Sharma. "There are around 35,000 residents in the area. A lot of development is planned for the area," said local corporator Shankar Mkoria. Some 40% of its residents in slum are employed in the state secretariat and nearby government offices, he said.
Some 26,000 voters have been demanding streetlights in vicinity, which has 100% tap drinking water.