Green belt in Chotti Baradari falls prey to encroachers

Rachna Khaira

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 9 

A huge area under the green belt was today found encroached by residents of Choti Baradari in the city. 

Sprawling bungalows have encompassed the area with barbed wires or nicely cut hedges and shown it as part of their lawns.

During a visit of the Jalandhar Tribune’s team to the area this morning, it was found that a majority of the bungalows have used the same modus operandi to grab the space.  While a majority of the houses have closed the green area from all sides with iron grills and even installed gates, some have covered them with cane sticks and have even placed garden furniture in it. 

Cricketer Harbhajan Singh also has a house in that locality and he has reportedly installed a fountain inside the green belt. 

Though Harbhajan could not be contacted, his manager said to prevent stray dogs from entering the green belt, the cricketer has installed a gate and has covered it with high bushes from all sides. 

“Though we have installed the gate, we have never locked it so that others can come and use it. The boundary was made so as to stop stray dogs from entering inside and destroying the beauty of the green belt. Another reason is to prevent dumping of garbage brought from nearby dhabas,” said Sidhu. 

Over the fountain, Sidhu said to keep the beauty of the green belt, the cricketer has installed it at his own expense. Slamming the cricketer’s move, RTI activist and resident of the area Ajay Sehgal said looking at the trend set by him, other residents were also doing it. 

They have also encroached on many acres in the name of maintaining the green belt, he added. 

He said the residents’ welfare association had issued a diktat to the children of the area not to use the central park for playing any sport. 

A board has been installed at the entrance of the central park that says that the park is not for playing as it spoils the beauty of the park. 

Also, the residents’ welfare association has installed gates at the entrance from all sides and keeps the park locked for most of the time. 

“Where will the children go for playing? Despite raising the issue many times with the local PUDA authorities, no action has been taken in this regard,” said Sehgal. 

PUDA chief administrator Harbir Singh assured to look into the matter and take action to remove encroachments from the area. 

As far as barring the children in the central park is concerned, the PUDA authorities, in a quick move, got the gates removed from the central park later in the evening.