Residents of SBS Nagar up in arms over plots at school site

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, July 18

A public notice issued by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) for e-auction of 42 built-up commercial sites and 24 residential plots in various colonies scheduled to be held on August 12, 2021, has sparked off a row with residents of the E-block of Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar raising a banner of revolt against conversion of a pocket of 2,500 sq yard land into residential plots.

LIT officials claim that the change of land use (CLU) from the primary school site to residential plots had been duly approved and the amended layout plan had also been sanctioned by the government (read Local Government Department).

“Of the 2,500 sq-yard chunk of land, residential plots are being carved out in an area of 1,600 sq yards (8 plots of 150 sq yards each and two plots of 200 sq yards each). The remaining area would be used for development of park (500 sq yards) and roads (400 sq yards),” said a LIT official.

However, the residents have taken offence to persistent policy of the LIT top brass to divert whatever open spaces or even green belts were available in its colonies to be diverted for development of residential plots or commercial sites.

In a petition, signed by nearly 40 residents of the E-block of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, to the state through its Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Local Government, it has been submitted that the pocket of land earmarked for the primary school earlier was proposed to be used for the construction of a community centre in the colony.

“Carving out residential plots on a chunk of land reserved for special purpose or community use is in a way of betrayal of the residents of the colony as the land reserved for public good is being put to individual use. Even if the CLU has been approved by the competent authority, it is still denial of promised facilities/amenities to the residents which will not stand the scrutiny of law,” said the residents, demanding cancellation of e-auction of the residential plots proposed to be developed in this pocket.

Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today called upon the LIT to cancel the proposed auction of residential plots. Senior SAD-B leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal said it was shocking that the LIT was going ahead with the auction of residential plots on August 8, which was a blatant illegality.

He said in case the LIT did not cancel the auction, the SAD would join the struggle of the residents to secure justice in the case.

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