Communal tensions in Trilokpuri that erupted into riots two weeks ago have also been simmering at a Delhi Metro construction site. And at the centre of the controversy is a piece of land over which the metro plans to relocate over 100 families living in Muslim-dominated Block 15.

The move is being opposed by Hindu residents of Blocks 16, 17 and 18, which is located opposite the relocation site. They claim they are against construction of a new block as it is the only ‘green belt’ in the neighbourhood.

The under-construction Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar corridor of Delhi Metro Phase-III cuts across Block 15 and the construction of viaducts will displace 108 families. Through an RTI query with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, residents of Block 15 found that they will be rehabilitated in the plot that falls in front of Blocks 16, 17 and 18 in Trilokpuri.

According to residents awaiting relocation, East Delhi BJP MP Maheish Girri and former MLA Sunil Vaid held consultations in mid-October and assured residents of the Hindu-dominated blocks that their Muslim neighbours will not be relocated to the “green belt”.

In response to a query on the exact location of their rehabilitation, the DMRC told RTI applicant S. Khurram that “the land has been allotted by the Delhi Urban Shelter Development Board (DUSIB)”.

This was the position before the BJP MP intervened in the matter.

Afzal Hussain (63), whose family will be among the displaced, said “former BJP MLA Sunil Vaid had interacted with residents of Blocks 16, 17 and 18 and there was a propaganda to not allow Muslims to be relocated to the allotted land.”

Mr. Hussain, who has lived in the area for four decades, said: “At the meeting that took place last month, East Delhi MP Maheish Girri was also present and assured the gathering that these houses will not be built here”. A member of the Delhi Police-appointed Aman Committee, C. Adhikesavan, confirmed this.

Bid to preserve ‘green belt’

The move to relocate residents of Block 15 is being opposed by Hindu residents of Blocks 16, 17 and 18.

The residents of Block 16 and 17 said the decision is not community specific but is to preserve the empty land as a “green belt”. “We just want to preserve the green belt in front of our houses and in this regard we met Mr. Girri. The houses are so closely built here that there is no ventilation so if they build more houses in front of ours it will get very congested,” said Block 16 resident Mahesh Kumar, who is also president of the Valmiki Dalit Mahapanchayat.

The plot of land under question is barren except for a section that has been cultivated as a garden. The gates, however, are kept under lock and key in “fear that the metro officials will take it over”.

Mr. Girri rubbished claims that he was attempting to polarise the community. “The land allotted is a green belt and will create complications in changing land use besides creating environmental issues,” he said. “The residents will be rehabilitated to Seelampur. I met Delhi Chief Secretary D.M. Spolia over a week ago and DUSIB has been asked to look for land”.

A DMRC spokesperson said the Delhi government has asked DUSIB to review the land allotted for relocation of Block 15.

“The relocation of affected quarters shall be done as per the decision of DUSIB after review,” the spokesperson said.