Won’t use forest land for industrial park: Punjab government

Chandigarh, July 13

The Punjab Government today categorically said no industrial park would be set up on the Mattewara forest land and only government and panchayat land would be used for the much-needed industrial development in the state.

Clarifying on the issue that no part of the 2,300-acre forest area of Mattewara was in the proposed 1,000-acre park, a spokesperson said government and panchayat land of Haidar Nagar, Sekhowal, Salempur, Sailkiana and Machian Kalan villages would be used for the proposed industrial estate and the panchayats would be adequately compensated for the land. “The government knows the importance of keeping our rivers clean, including the Sutlej. A six-lane road along the river, while acting as an embankment against floods, will also ensure that no pollutants are let into the river by anyone. The planning of the estate will be done in a way that green units, logistics offices, workers’ residences and hotels are located near the river front,” he added.

Notably, there were some media reports that the industrial development project, approved by the Council of Ministers recently, would be a threat to the forest area of Mattewara and Sutlej. — TNS