MCB demolishes showroom, warns others

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 18

On the directions of Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, the building branch of the Municipal Corporation on Monday continued its demolition drive for the second day in the city.

After demolition of two buildings on Saturday, the MCB team in the afternoon again went to demolish illegal buildings.

Senior town planner Sandeep Gupta, MTP Davinder Jaura, ATP Pardeep Kumar, along with around two dozen officials and JCB machine, reached the Mansa road and demolished a showroom being constructed by HS Gill near the cantonment area. The team demolished the boundary wall and pillar of the showroom.

The MCB team had demolished illegal building being constructed adjoining the showroom on Saturday.

Later, MCB officials reached a furniture showroom on the road, where SAD councillor Rajwinder Singh Sidhu, Focal Point growth centre association president Mohanjit Puri, Bathinda Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Raman Watts, Bar Association former president Ranjit Singh Jalal also came.

Councillor Sidhu told the team that before demolishing the building, they should demolish the cancer diagnostic centre and other buildings. Other people gathered there also lodged their protest against the drive.

The MCB team gave them an ultimatum to vacate the building by Tuesday morning as the owner was not present.

Afterwards, the team reached a medical store where again officials had to face protest, headed by a councillor.

Officlas had heated arguments with the shopkeeper. People here raised serious allegations against the commissioner and building inspectors, but the team gave them three days to vacate the shop.

Here councillor Sidhu had asked them to give time till Tuesday morning so that they could meet the commissioner over the issue.

Later, the team reached the True Value showroom located on the Mansa road only to face more protest.

Here also councillor Rajwinder Sidhu asked the officials not to demolish any building till they meet the commissioner. Finally, the team gave them a chance.

A senior official of the MCB said these buildings were illegal as their maps have not been approved.

The owners have been given time till Tuesday morning after which these buildings would be demolished, he added.