Crackdown on illegal colonies in Ludhiana

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 15

In the wake of extensive development works being carried out at illegal colonies on the periphery of the city even after the policy for regularisation of colonies had lapsed, the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has stepped up its drive against illegal colonies and unscrupulous developers who were out to cheat gullible people.

In a campaign during the past four days, a team of GLADA officials had conducted a demolition drive in at least 15 unlicensed colonies.

The GLADA Estate Officer, Sonam Chaudhry, said on the directions of Chief Administrator Parminder Singh Gill and Additional Chief Administrator Bhupinder Singh, a team of officials from the engineering branch pulled down structures, dug up roads, streets and sewer lines and uprooted electricity poles in the colonies where development works were being undertaken.

She said accompanied by a duty magistrate and strong contingent of police and security staff, the GLADA team, comprising Ashish Vachher, Amarjit Singh, both Sub-divisional Engineers; Karan Aggarwal and Amandeep Singh, Junior Engineers, conducted the drive at several villages, including Uchi Mangli, Kotla Afghana, Jandiali, Sahibana, Mundian Khurd, Bhammia Kalan, Kakka, Dhaula, Meharban, Kadian, Mangat and Bajra where developers were told to discontinue ongoing works.

The developers were told in no uncertain terms that non-compliance with the directions would lead to registration of criminal cases against them for violation of the PUDA Act.

Chaudhry said the crackdown against illegal colonies would continue and developers of illegal colonies would not be allowed to cheat the public.