Tribunal issues notices to civic body, Local Bodies Department

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Department of Local Bodies, Punjab, and the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, based on a petition filed by the Council of Engineers regarding large-scale damage to public parks and green belts due to the construction of Overhead and Surface Water Reservoirs.

The Council of Engineers had initially filed a petition regarding the green belt along the old GT Road but it was withdrawn after the Bench sought documentary proof establishing the area as a designated green space. They have now refiled the petition with conclusive evidence, including extracts from the Ludhiana Master Plan and a Horticulture Department letter acknowledging that the impugned greenbelt was handed over to park management committee for maintenance for a two-year period.

Petitioner Kapil Arora said a substantial portion of the green belt had already been destroyed due to MC’s construction activities for a static compactor unit. The project has created serious public-health concerns on account of proliferation of flies, mosquitoes and foul odour. Despite the environmental degradation caused, MC has started construction of two new water tanks in the same 200-metre park stretch. The action violates the Principles of Natural Justice and the Right to a Healthy Environment and has invited objections from affected residents.

The petitioners further pointed out that an old water tank in the same area is already defunct, raising questions about planning efficiency, land-use rationality, and the cumulative environmental impact of clustering multiple reservoirs in a notified public green space. Arora emphasized that after hearing the submissions, the NGT has taken a serious view on the matter, observing in its order that the original application raises substantial issues related to compliance with environmental norms and

warrants a detailed examination.

In August 2022, MC had adopted an incomplete and defective process for the construction of an overhead tank in Kidwai Nagar, added petitioner Kuldeep Singh Khaira. The residents had strongly opposed the construction and had filed objections against the project on October 25. Despite their written objections, MCL proceeded with the construction, which was eventually inaugurated by MLA Madan Lal Bagga, reflecting a blatant disregard for statutory procedures and the residents’ complaints. The matter is now listed to be heard on January 21, 2026.