GLADA turns up heat on offenders

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 19

The lackadaisical attitude of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) in clearing encroachments on public/government land in various localities under its jurisdiction for years altogether has cost the authorities dear.

Now, facing contempt of court proceedings in the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC), the GLADA authorities have initiated action on several fronts to evict the unlawful occupants.

In an affidavit submitted before the High Court on January 24, during the course of hearing of COCP 3645 of 2017 (Rohit Saharwal v/s Parminder Singh Gill and others), GLADA Chief Administrator (CA) PS Gill contended that meetings of officials were convened on August 23, 2018, and again on January 11, 2019, to chalk out an action plan and follow up action for clearing encroachments pointed out by the petitioner in his complaint.

Gill claimed that three encroachments had already been removed and possession of land obtained by GLADA, besides two sites were handed over to the Municipal Corporation (MC) for maintenance and removal of encroachments.

He further maintained that two pockets of encroached land were under litigation and further action could only be taken after the court orders.

Building of a government school was constructed on another site under encroachment in the Housing Board Colony on the Ferozepur road, he said while adding that the engineering wing was directed to adjust building while re-planning layout of the colony.

“Regarding removal of encroachments by some 750 jhuggi dwellers in Sector 40 on the Chandigarh road, GLADA has already deposited Rs 13.31 crore with the MC for their relocation and rehabilitation under the basic services to urban poor (BSUP) scheme,” the affidavit mentioned.

Gill intimated the court that in all other cases notices under Section 46(1) of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act were served to illegal occupants and process of their eviction was set in motion.

The GLADA Chief Administrator tendered an unqualified, unconditional and sincere apology for delay in removal of encroachments in accordance with directions of the court issued while disposing of the COCP 1299 of 2009.

Encroachments in GLADA colonies

• Dugri Road Phase 1, 2 3; Jagdev Colony (1.5 acre)
• Green belt adjoining railway line and Dhndari Kalan, Phase 1, 3 
• Metro Road, near LIG flats, Dhandari Kalan, Phase 3
• Dhandari Kalan, Phase 4
• Sector 39, Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road
• Sector 32-A, Sector 38 & 39, Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road Commercial Pocket (under litigation)
• Sector 40, near LIG flats, Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road (Funds deposited with the MC for relocation and rehabilitation of jhuggi dwellers)
• Housing Board Colony, Ferozepur Road (construction of school building to be adjusted in re-planning layout)