The Delhi government carried out a demolition drive on Tuesday to remove an illegal shrine built on government land in the middle of a road to ease a road-widening project connecting Pitampura and Shalimar Bagh, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. The action formed part of a wider campaign against illegal encroachments and was intended to clear obstructions on the key thoroughfare. The demolition was presented as facilitating uninterrupted commuter movement while the main route is widened.

The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards unauthorised construction and encroachments on public land, the CMO indicated. Work on the road-widening project is under way with authorities removing impediments to ensure smoother traffic flow along the corridor. The enforcement drive is being coordinated to align demolition, sealing and inspection activities with the infrastructure works.

Since early June authorities have demolished 94 illegally constructed buildings and sealed 114 others for violations of building byelaws and fire safety norms. The enforcement drive gained momentum after the Malviya Nagar fire on three June, after which officials reported that 63 buildings were demolished and the highest single-day action saw 22 structures razed. Officials also recorded 97 sealed buildings during the same period, including 79 properties sealed in one day on seven June. Revenue Department teams inspected 124 sites across Delhi's 13 districts and initiated action where major violations were identified.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and other agencies are jointly conducting demolition, sealing and inspection operations across the capital. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the administration will take strict action against unauthorised construction and is exploring a third-party insurance framework linking coverage to compliance with structural and safety standards. The DDA has directed officials to identify major deviations from approved plans, and architects found responsible for serious violations may face blacklisting while Flying Squads and Quick Response Teams intensify enforcement in development and land-pooling areas.