Shops coming up in Kesar Ganj Mandi demolished

Shivani Bhakoo

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 4

A person coming up with several shops on 1,500 square yard in Kesar Ganj market, in utter violation of the building bylaws, had to pay the price today, when the building branch of the Municipal Corporation demolished all five shops constructed recently.

The shops were converted into debris as these were being constructed in an illegal manner. The owner had started constructing a number of shops in an illegal manner without approval of any building map by the MC. He had already constructed five shops and a “market” was to come up on this chunk of land. The staff of building branch department today demolished all these shops.

Municipal Town Planner SS Bindra said Kesar Ganj was one of the most congested markets in the city. And the person was coming up with a “full-fledged market with smart shops” on the plot without getting any approval from the building branch. “We got the information and taking suo-moto action, we demolished all five shops. How can so many shops come up in an illegal manner in n already congested market?” Bindra asked.

Several mobile repairing, electronics, garment shops are located at the Video Market of Ghumar Mandi. The width of the road is not more than 12 feet. Seeing better business returns, those residing here have started converting their residences into shops in an illegal manner.

One such building is being converted into shops illegally in the market and residents have raised objections. A resident, wishing not to be mentioned, said there was a small temple and a restaurant here, where visitors park their vehicles in the already congested market or on Major Sham Singh Road. “Small shops are being constructed where there used to be residences. The sand, gravel is scattered all around. Above all, these are being constructed in utter violation of building bylaws. Where is the parking space for such commercial activity? Are authorities sleeping or they simply prefer to look the other way? There seems to be no law here,” the resident said.

Municipal Town Planner SS Bindra said notice has been served to the particular building. “Three days’ time has been given to them, if the construction does not stop, it will be demolished,” Bindra said.