MC’s MTP wing seals 29 illegal buildings

Continuing with its campaign against illegal buildings, the Municipal Town Planning (MTP) wing of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation sealed 10 buildings in various areas of the city on Friday.

On the directions of MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, MTP wing staff initiated the drive against illegal buildings yesterday and sealed 19 such buildings on the first day.

In today’s drive, various teams of the MTP wing led by Central Zone MTP Narendra Sharma, MTP Mehrban Singh, ATP Varinder Mohan, Building Inspector Navjot Kaur and field staff sealed 10 buildings and some others were demolished.

A number of hotels are being constructed illegally in walled city areas. Several other buildings are being constructed in the city without the building plan approval. MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh said the drive against illegal buildings will continue.

The MC Commissioner stated that 29 buildings have been sealed by the MTP wing in the last two days. He said the buildings, which have been sealed by the MC, should not open. If the builder breaks open the seal or start construction there again, the police will be informed about the development. Aulakh said notices are being pasted on the buildings to be sealed.

The MC Commissioner said they are considering action against illegal buildings and calculating the expenditure being incurred by the MC or funds being spent by the officials of the MTP wing. A report is being prepared. He said a report of these expenses by the building department will be sent to the civil wing of the MC to prepare them completely. The civil wing would prepare a detailed report on the cost of labour involved in demolition of the floors of the building and the number of officers and staff employed to seal the buildings. All these expenses would be recovered from the owners of the illegal buildings.

The MC Commissioner said yellow tape is being applied to all the buildings that are being sealed. It says “do not enter”. He said some illegal buildings are sealed.

Locks are being installed with chains. He has appealed to people that the construction of the building should be started only after getting the approval of the building plan by the MC. When the MC takes action against illegal builders, they suffer huge losses. He said it would be better to get the building plan approved by the MC.