Bulldozers rummaged through illegal constructions around the historic Jama Masjid on Tuesday as the municipal authorities carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the area amidst tight security.

Altogether 221 of the 319 illegal structures were turned into rubble by evening in the drive undertaken on the directions of Delhi High Court.

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The demolition drive will continue tomorrow if the hawkers do not remove their structures on their own by then, City Zone District Commissioner Rahul Dua told PTI.

The drive is being undertaken as part of the efforts to beautify the historic mosque and areas surrounding it in old Delhi.

"We had served notices to the squatters to remove the illegal structures in a week's time, and the deadline ended on September nine. But there was little compliance from the squatters," he said.

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A large number of police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order during the eviction drive, in which 6 bulldozers were pressed into service.

Dua said some resistance was put up by the squatters initially, but the situation remained under control.

Earlier, roadside hawkers in Chandni Chowk had been removed following a court order.

Alongwith Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority and the Wakf Board are also involved in the anti-encroachment drive, carried out in pursuance of a direction from the High Court to rid the area of illegal structures by September 15.

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