Illegal colonies cock a snook at GLADA

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 21

Despite tall claims of stern action against unregulated growth, including the registration of criminal cases against offenders, the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), it seems, is finding it difficult to come to terms with the menace of illegal and unlicensed colonies which are proliferating in almost every nook and corner of the city.

In many cases, internal and external development works in such colonies continue even after notices served to them by the regulatory and field staff of the Authority.

It was a couple of months ago that the matter of development of several illegal colonies under different stages of development at Dhandra and surrounding areas was brought to the notice of the GLADA authorities by certain well-meaning residents of adjoining colonies. GLADA officials had then claimed that notices were served to the developers and in one or two cases, police complaints were also lodged for the registration of cases for the violation of PAPRA.

However, the defiant developers continued with the internal and external development works and in a couple of these colonies, buildings were under construction, while in another colony, interlocking tiles were being laid on pavements.

This lackadaisical attitude of the regulatory body indeed pointed towards the involvement of field staff and officials of GLADA in the development of these illegal colonies not only in Dhandra but several other areas in the periphery like Jaspal Bangar, Lohara, Humbran Road, Jassian Road, Pakhowal Road, Sherpur, Rahon Road and Threeke areas.

A city-based developer alleged that GLADA staff and supervisory officials were hand in glove with the unscrupulous developers and most of the illegal colonies were being developed in or around Ludhiana with their tacit approval and big money was involved in this unlawful activity.

Defiant developers

In many cases, internal and external development works in such colonies continue even after notices served to them by the regulatory and field staff of the Authority. GLADA officials had then claimed that notices were served to the developers and in one or two cases, police complaints were also lodged for the registration of cases for the violation of PAPRA.

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