Ludhiana Improvement Trust officials summoned to Chandigarh for personal hearing on October 14

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, October 7

The issue of converting part of a green belt in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar into residential plots in June by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) amidst much outcry of the residents has taken a new turn with the Trust officials being summoned by the Principal Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, to Chandigarh on October 14 for a personal hearing.

Through an office letter (dated October 5, 2021), the Senior Town Planner, Local Government Department, Punjab, has conveyed the directions of the Principal Secretary to LIT officials with further instructions to bring along detailed report and supporting documents.

The Council of Engineers (CoE), which had filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal against the move of the Trust, has also been asked to join the proceedings of the public hearing.

Prior to moving the NGT against the proposal of interfering with the existing green belt, the CoE had also served a legal notice on the LIT authorities saying the act was against the directions of the Supreme Court and NGT as conversion of designated green belts into residential plots is like encroachment opon the land left for its prime motive.

In its ruling on the LIT move for conversion of a green belt in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar (behind 651-E to 684-E) into 33 residential plots and also construction of a metalled road, the NGT had directed the Principal Secretary, Department of Local Government, Punjab, to examine the issue on merits and take a decision expeditiously within two months.

In its petition before the NGT, the CoE had contended: “Proliferation of illegal colonies, coupled with unplanned commercial and industrial pockets, have been persistently eating into green belts and parks in the city. Moreover, due to illegal commercial activities in the said colony, there is already an increase in air pollution, which is bound to increase manifolds with conversion of designated green belt into residential plots.”

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.