Vibha SharmaNew Delhi: Delhi Development Authority on Thursday claimed to have recovered 12 acres near Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park in Maidangarhi village through a demolition drive.Officials said 23 farmhouses across 12 acres were demolished, contributing to the recovery of nearly 70% of the affected 83 acres. Residents disputed the claim, alleging that only two houses and the boundary wall of a third plot were demolished. A jhuggi cluster was also removed. They claimed that the matter is pending before Delhi High Court.“To secure govt land and enhance the green area of the biodiversity park by removing unauthorized construction within the park boundary, a demolition drive was carried out,” a DDA official said, adding that the operation was conducted with assistance from police and in the presence of forest officials.Demolitions were done on land falling under Khasra Nos. 580 (excluding 1,150 sq. yd. due to a stay order), 581, 582, 583, 585, 587, 590, 591, 596, 606, 607, 608, and 610 in Maidangarhi. “However, approximately three acres of land, involving seven farmhouses, located in portions of Khasra Nos. 580 (1,150 sq. yd.), 588, 589, and 595, could not be cleared due to active judicial stay,” an official said.Residents, however, alleged that the action primarily targeted two residential plots, each measuring around 2,000 sq yards. Hardeep Singh Bhalla, president of the Western Avenue Residents’ Welfare Association, termed the drive “completely illegal”, alleging lack of proper demarcation and bias against private landowners.“While DDA claimed the two properties were constructed on khasra number 607, the owners said they were under khasra number 613, which is private land. We even asked for proof from the authority…. The matter was already under consideration before the high court, and a stay was granted during Thursday’s hearing. However, demolition was carried out earlier in the morning before the written order was issued,” Bhalla said.The development comes three days after the Center announced policies for regularization of unauthorized colonies through an online process.However, the policy excludes 69 identified “affluent” colonies, as well as settlements located in the Yamuna floodplains (O-Zone) and on forest or ridge land.