Construction of illegal complex continues in Janakpuri

Shivani Bhakoo

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 7

Caring two hoots about the norms, the construction work of an “illegal” commercial building in the Janakpuri area here is at peak. The officials concerned in the building branch of the Municipal Corporation here seem to be providing enough time to the owner, an influential person, to complete the construction work.

Perturbed over the official concerned, Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Smiley Grover, “shielding” the owner of the building, Municipal Town Planner (MTP) Kamaljit Kaur has reportedly written a letter to the former. The letter stated that despite knowing the fact that the construction of the commercial building was being carried out in utter violation of the building bylaws, why the official had failed to take any action against it?

When asked about the letter, MTP Kamaljit Kaur lamented, “The whole department knows that the particular building is being constructed in an illegal manner by an influential person. More than 20 shops are coming up in the building. Immediate action had to be taken, but we fail to understand why officials are waiting for a reply from the owner. They know that the construction is illegal, why cannot they simply go and demolish the violations (part of building)? Why are they waiting for the person to come to the office with the documents? By then, the construction of the building will be completed.”

Two floors of the particular commercial complex have already been raised and the construction of another floor was under way.

The MTP has given about two-day time to the ATP concerned to take an action against the violation and submit a report.

One of the employees of the building branch said, “Such an illegal activity is not possible without the connivance of the officials of building branch. While the building is being constructed in violation of building bylaws, officials concerned prefer to look the other way for reasons best known to them. It is only due to such staff/officials that illegal buildings continue to mushroom in the city.”