‘Illegal’ constructions on the rise, GLADA officials turn blind eye

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, July 24

In complete disregard for rules, illegal construction work was being carried out at various places on the periphery of the city. The spate of illegal construction has also raised questions on the enforcement and regulatory mechanism of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA).

Recently, the construction work of a huge shed at an incomplete commercial building in Thakur Colony on Pakhowal Road here had been resumed.

A couple of months ago, GLADA officials had visited the site and the owner was given stern warning to stop the work.

Residents of the area allege that field staff of the GLADA had given a go ahead to the owner to complete the remaining work, including construction of a shed. They complained that there have been attempts to construct ‘illegal’ commercial buildings in the area at regular intervals without change of land use or approval of building plans from GLADA.

“A number of banquet halls and marriage palaces in the vicinity are already creating nuisance for residents, who have been calling for stern regulatory measures against such illegal/irregular buildings. If more commercial buildings are allowed to come up in the predominantly residential pocket in the colony, residents will have to face multiple problems,” said an area resident.

Another resident of the colony said complaints were being regularly lodged with the GLADA authorities against the ‘illegal’ construction activity, but violations continued due to poor enforcement by field staff and supervisory officials. Illegal building activity in violation of the rules and regulations continues unabated in the area, he said.

GLADA SDO Parminder Singh said the owner of the building had been issued a strict warning not to carry out any further construction work. Earlier also, GLADA had issued a show-cause notice followed by a challan, he said. Action as per rules would be taken against the builder and if any unauthorised construction/expansion has been carried out, it would be demolished after following the laid down procedure, he added.

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