High drama over lifting of soil from plots in Mohali

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 25

High drama was witnessed at Sector 88-89 here after some plot owners in the area noticed a few persons lifting soil from their property without any intimation today.

When the owners raised objection, one of the persons, involved in lifting soil with the help of a JCB machine and two tippers, claimed that he was a contractor associated with the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and was lifting soil on the orders of a junior engineer of the department.

Surinder Singh Roda, councillor of Sector 76-80, claimed that he got information regarding excavation of soil from plots in Sector 88 and 89.

“When we reached there, work of excavating soil with the JCB machine was going on. When we asked the persons about their identification, one of them told us that he was a contractor associated with GMADA. He told us that the soil was being lifted on the orders of a junior engineer, whose name was not revealed by him,” said Roda.

He said the person in question also made them talk with an unidentified JE on his phone.

“The person on phone also did not tell us his name despite our repeated requests. When we asked how they could lift soil from their plots, all persons fled from the spot along with their vehicles,” said Roda.

When contacted, GMADA’s Additional Chief Administrator Rajesh Dhiman said the department had issued a public notice in connection with lifting soil from the area as the ground level there was above the road. When asked whether the soil could be lifted from plots, which has already been sold, Dhiman said he would look into it.

“Right now I am out of the town on election duty. Let me come back, I will check the matter,” said Dhiman.