Implement building bylaws, Local Bodies Dept told

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 22

The High Court has asked the Local Government Department, Punjab, and Municipal Corporation to strictly implement the building bylaws rules, 1997.

In response to Contempt of Court Petition 2317 of 2016 filed by RTI activist Rohit Sabharwal, in which he complained and listed over 80 such buildings in city that were constructed in utter violation of building bylaws, the court after going through an affidavit submitted by Additional Chief Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, said it should be ensured that the purpose for which the bylaws were enacted may not be defeated.

Judge Rajan Gupta said if necessary, this court shall consider seeking personal appearance of the Additional Chief Secretary to ensure that the objectives of the rules and bylaws are achieved and the measures to improve the conditions in the corporation area are taken to its logical end.

Rohit Sabharwal, in the COCP had complained and submitted a list of over 80 commercial buildings/ banks in city in all four zones, which have been constructed in violation of building bylaws.

Most of these buildings were without proper parking space and visitors at these buildings park vehicles on public roads causing harassment and nuisance to other commuters. Of these buildings, about 44 complexes have lesser parking space (as per requirement), while 14 complexes have no parking space at all.

Sabharwal had complained that most of the parking spaces in these buildings were used for other purposes by the owners.

As the hearing of the case was on March 21, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Satish Chandra had constituted five teams of officials to get the survey done of these buildings. Based on the survey report, an affidavit by the Additional Chief Secretary was submitted in the court yesterday.

The next date of hearing of the case is on April 26.

Respite for residents?

If the building bylaws are strictly implemented in the city, residents will get a huge respite. In the absence of proper parking space, visitors park vehicles on public roads blocking the smooth traffic flow in the city, which is the major problem in this densely populated industrial city. 

Secondly, the parking spaces being used for other purposes will be utilised properly for parking

The court orders...

It should be ensured that the purpose for which the bylaws were enacted may not be defeated. Judge Rajan Gupta said if necessary, this court shall consider seeking personal appearance of the Additional Chief Secretary to ensure that the objectives of the rules and bylaws are achieved and the measures to improve the conditions in the corporation area are taken to its logical end.

MC seals building in Model Town

Ludhiana, March 22

The building branch department of the Municipal Corporation sealed a commercial building in Model Town area today as the owners had allegedly not taken an NOC from neighbours before carrying out the construction, due to which cracks appeared in their building.

Municipal Town Planner SS Bindra said the building had been sealed by the department till further orders. He said the building map of the commercial building was approved, but he had not taken the No Objection Certificate from the neighbours, which is mandatory before the construction activity starts. 

Following the construction, neighbour Harish Khanna moved the court which issued stay orders in the case. But Khanna alleged that despite the court orders, the construction of the building was on and the MC turned a blind eye towards the violation. Today, Khanna went to Zone D office and submitted the complaint again. Taking suo-moto action, Bindra issued the sealing orders and the building was sealed. — TNS