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New Delhi: The Democles sword of ‘sudden
evacuation’ hangs over 30 Christian homes in the Christ
Church Methodist Mission compound as work is to begin
soon on the four-lane flyover connecting Rani Jhansi
road and Boulevard Road and passing through St Stephen’s
hospital.
Nearly 200 affected residents have been representing to
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit , the Minorities
Commission, and other agencies; senior officials of the
MCD, the flyover project etc. But these have not helped
in allaying their fears of being suddenly uprooted,
rendered homeless and left in the lurch. The Methodist
Mission Compound Sangathan, representing the affected
people demand, among other things, rehabilitation
through provision of alternative accommodation nearby.
The affected residents must be given adequate notice, so
that houses can be built up for them before commencement
of work on the flyover. Memoranda in this regard had
already been submitted to the Delhi Minorities
Commission.
They have all been living in the historic mission
compound since the British era. Many of them earn their
livelihood by working in nearby institutions such as
hospitals and schools.
It must also be recalled that the Church and its
compound enjoy heritage status having been established
in the year 1919.The church was built in 1931. The
Bishop’s residence which is likely to disappear with the
construction of the project has also heritage value.
The church property has suffered silent erosion since
1960 when the single line Boulevard Road was converted
to double line, later in 1999-2000 for the Metro
corridor and now for the flyover. It is alleged that the
original alignment of the Metro line was changed by a
petrol bunk owner who wanted to save land nearby the
corridor.
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