Question mark over civic body’s role

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 23

Factories running in residential areas not only invite mishaps but also create nuisance to residents. While most factories in the city have no fire-safety arrangements in place, the MC have failed to act against the violators.

The plastic-manufacturing at Mustaq Ganj collapsed after a fire, damaging the nearby three houses. Questions over the role of civic body are being raised once again.

The residents of various areas have been repeatedly demanding for shifting industries out of residential areas, but nothing is being done in this regard. It is learnt that the factories are running in residential areas on Gill Road, Haibowal, Old City, New Heera Nagar, Bahadur Ke Road, Jalandhar Bypass, Civil Lines and others.

“Only around 2% industries, commercial, educational and other institutions here have obtained the fire-safety certificate. Of more than one lakh of these units, only 2,000 have obtained the fire-safety certificate,” said Municipal Secretary, Surinder Pal.

Around three years ago, Sanjay Sharma of New Heera Singh Nagar, had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court as the civic body had allowed construction of a factory adjoining his house. “The civic body took action against the violation only after getting directions from the court. However, some factories are still running from our residential area. The MC should not allow anyone to set up factory near residences.”

Rahul Bindra of Mustaq Ganj said: “The factory that collapsed near Suffian Chowk was situated near our residential area. We can’t forget this tragedy. The civic body should learn a lesson from this incident. There should be no factory near or in residential area.”

A former councillor from Ward No. 1, Randhir Singh Sivia, said: “The factories are being allowed by the MC in Bharti Colony, Banda Bahadur Nagar, Geeta Colony, Gurbaksh Nagar and Amar Akash Nagar. I don’t understand how the MC can allow anyone to set up a factory in those areas where residences have come up on 95% land.”

Assistant Town Planner (Headquarters) SS Bindra said: “We will write to the higher authorities, seeking permission to carry out a survey of factories running in residential areas. However, no such survey has been done so far.”