Unauthorised construction of flats exposed

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 19

In yet another example of gross violations of building bylaws, unauthorised flats are being constructed at Ishar Nagar here. A complaint has also been made to the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Local Bodies Department, in this regard.

A resident of Ishar Nagar, Kuldeep Singh Khaira, has alleged that the flats are being constructed on a large chunk of agricultural land in the area. He has claimed that no permission could be given by the Ludhiana MC as the land is adjoining only a single passage which is an old water channel and is owned by the Department of Irrigation, Punjab.

“It is not possible that anybody can take up unauthorised construction of flats or carve out any unauthorised colony without active connivance of MC officials as the LMC has a big network of zone-wise building branch officials who keep a vigil on every nook and corner of mohallas in the city,” he has stated in the complaint.

He has also demanded action against the MC officials under whose nose the unauthorised construction of flats is going on. The non-compoundable unauthorised construction must be demolished, he adds.

Zonal Commissioner (Zone C) Anita Darshi said: “We have found the flats were being constructed in an illegal manner. I have written to the Municipal Commissioner in this regard.”

Assistant Town Planner (Headquarters) SS Bindra said construction had been stopped. “The building branch staff have been asked to register an FIR against the developer concerned for violating the norms,” he added.

Municipal Commissioner Jaskiran Singh said he would look into the matter and take required steps.