Railways Issues Evacuation Notice to Lal Bagh Slum Residents; AICCTU Condemns Demolition Threat

Shahdara-  Thousands of residents of the Lal Bagh jhuggi basti in Shahdara are facing imminent displacement after the Railways served them an evacuation notice, directing them to vacate the area by July 31. The notice has sparked outrage among the slum dwellers, many of whom have lived there for over three decades, with civil rights groups calling the move "illegal and anti-poor."

The Lal Bagh slum, home to migrant workers primarily from Bihar, has existed since 1990, with multiple generations of working-class families residing in the area. The sudden evacuation order has left residents in distress, as they allege no prior consultation or rehabilitation plan has been provided.

"The Railway's threat of coercive action is completely illegal. The existing norms for the rehabilitation of slums in Delhi mandate in-situ rehabilitation before any demolition of buildings in designated slum and jhuggi-jhopri clusters is undertaken.

The evacuation notice for the Lal Bagh slum must be seen in the context of the series of slum demolitions that have taken place in Delhi since the BJP assumed power in February 2025. From Wazirpur, Madrasi Camp, Bhumiheen Camp, and Indira Camp to Okhla Vihar, Jai Hind Camp, and now Lal Bagh—the hateful bulldozer continues to render the poor and working class of Delhi homeless", read an AICCTU statement.

AICCTU further declared support and solidarity with the residents of Lal Bagh camp in their fight for justice. All legal and agitational means of resistance are being explored to stop the impending demolition.