Construction in front of Army dump raises eyebrows

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 27

The blanket ban on any type of new construction within 1,000 yards around the Army depot area at Vallah notwithstanding, construction activity opposite the gate of the Army depot has raised eyebrows.

While the district administration has expressed its ignorance about the construction in the sensitive area, the Army authorities said they had lodged a complaint in this regard.

Even the district administration has also imposed Section 144, CrPC (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger). Under this order, no construction activity is allowed inside the1,000 yard radius of the Army dump at Vallah.

A visit to the area revealed that the owner of the land has encircled the area with cemented slabs and green clothes to carry out construction work. Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said he was unaware of the construction. He said he would verify it and appropriate action would be taken if it is found true.

Naresh Vig, public relation officer of the Army, said a complaint had already been registered with the police station concerned and it was now up to the district administration to stop the illegal construction.  He said the Army authorities had identified several more places in the prohibited area where construction work was underway and had lodged a complaint with the police. Around 66 acres and 53 acres were acquired for the Army dump in 1966 and 1970, respectively. At that time, it was a secluded place and out of the MC limits.