GLADA charged with violation of norms

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, August 4

The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has been charged with violations of provisions made under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA) and guidelines of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, in development of an affordable housing project behind Keys Hotel on Sua Road here.

In a complaint to the state government through the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, Kapil Arora, president, Council of Engineers (CoE), has alleged that the GLADA authorities had reduced the park area by shifting the water supply system to the park from the approved location.

Further, no provisions were made for rainwater harvesting and storm water drainage and no trees were planted on roadsides (as required under the Clean Air Report prepared on the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the under-development GLADA Estates colony.

Arora mentioned in his complaint that in the said housing project, being developed on an area of around 9.5 acres with provisions made for 231 residential and 16 commercial plots, the park area stood reduced to less than five per cent as against the approved layout plan of 5.01 per cent due to the shifting of water works (including the overhead tank) in the land of park.

“Moreover, as per PAPRA (Amendment) Act 2010, storm water drains are mandatory to be provided in colonies to be developed in the state. However, no provision has been made for storm water drains along roadsides of the GLADA colony. Further, as per gazette notification for unapproved colonies, rainwater harvesting, which is mandatory, has not provided in the said colony,” said the complainant.

Pointing out neglect in providing green cover in the colony by GLADA, the CoE president said after directions of the National Green Tribunal to all States, an ‘Action Plan of Clear Air, Ludhiana,’ was prepared by the Environment and Climate Change Department of Punjab wherein provisions were made for creation of green buffers along road sides and undertaking special drives to identify areas and make plantation to increase green belts in collaboration with the Forest Department.

“However, GLADA has failed to initiate any such drive to plant saplings in any locality/area coming under its jurisdiction and at the same time not even a single sapling has been planted in any park or along the roads of the housing project,” said the complaint.

Arora has sought directions to the officials concerned of GLADA to act and take necessary steps immediately in this regard and scrupulously follow all norms regarding green cover, rainwater harvesting and plantation of saplings in the GLADA colony, failing which the CoE would have to approach the NGT for redressal of legitimated grievances in larger public interest.