ADA acts tough against illegal colonies on GT Road in Amritsar

The Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) took action against unauthorised colonies here on Thursday. A team of the regulatory wing of the ADA, led by District Town Planner (Regulatory) Gursevak Singh Aulakh, demolished colonies at Tangra and Wajir Bhullar villages on the Jalandhar GT Road, following orders from Chief Administrator Ankurjit Singh.

According to District Town Planner Gursevak Singh Aulakh, the government issued notices under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995 (Papara Act-1995), to control future development and stop unauthorised colonies. The owners of the unauthorised colony at Wazir Bhullar village flouted government rules. Similarly, the unauthorised colony at Tangra was demolished earlier, but re-development works were restarted. The ASA team demolished roads and other infrastructure developed in these colonies.

Aulakh warned that developing unauthorised colonies can result in 3-7 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 2-5 lakh under the Papara Act. Aulakh said they have written to the police to register an FIR against 13 colonisers.

The regulatory wing of PUDA occasionally checks unauthorized colonies in Amritsar, issuing notices and stopping work. They have also erected boards warning the public against buying plots in these colonies.

The District Town Planner (Regulatory) urged the public to verify PUDA approval before purchasing plots in colonies to avoid financial losses and trouble.