India, May 6 -- A contingent of at least eight excavator machines slashed and razed through illegal constructions at Taimoor Nagar in southeast Delhi from 9am on Monday, as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) began its demolition drive to clear unauthorised houses built along a critical drainage line, following orders from the Delhi high court.

Officials involved in the drive said they demolished around 100 structures under heavy police deployment and that the operation would be completed in two more days. The clearance will enable agencies to clean the drain and restore proper flow, they said.

The severely impaired sewage flow in the drain becomes an annual problem, which is particularly exacerbated during monsoon, when it backflows ...