Building mafia, official nexus must end

Minna Zutshi

The  city has become almost synonymous with ever-increasing illegal commercial buildings. These buildings come up right under the nose of the Municipal Corporation and other government departments – thanks to the unholy nexus between officials and the ‘building mafia’, patronised by politicians. The building bylaws have been thrown to the wind and rules are flouted with impunity. 

Officials keep ignoring violations conveniently till the work on the building in question is complete. It is an arrangement that serves all the three parties – the building mafia, politicians and officials. The dubious role of politicians (across the party lines) in this self-serving arrangement is an open secret. 

Till the vicious cycle involving corrupt politicians, obliging officials and the building mafia is broken, the problem of illegal buildings will continue to plague Ludhiana city.