Demolition

demo.jpg
Originally uploaded by Namaste Neil.

I am told that 80% of all buildings in Delhi are built illegally, that is without proper permits or on land zoned for some other purpose. The problem is not unique to Delhi but the city government and courts have been particularly aggresive in punishing the offenders. The odd part is that offendors are often big property developers that are building sleak shopping malls or office bulidlings.

Last week I photographed what the Delhi government considers the solution. They use bulldozers to demolish the shiny new buildings, which would be fine if they actually demolished the buildings and hauled away the rubble. But they never get that far. Instead they ruin the buildings, then put a sign outside saying the building is dangerous and condemned. So the end result is the nice buildings are ruined and the old, dirty buildlings next to them are left standing.

The logic is theater of the absurd to me, but most people I talk to here agree with the policy. You have to start somewhere they say. And why not start with the rich developers that have skirted zoning laws to save a buck and have paid off politicians to make it happen.

Fine but why destroy the buildings and not remove them. Better yet, why not fine the building developers or just take their buildings and use them for the community. Or have the government rent them out and use the revenues for special programs.