Submersible pump being installed in GLADA colony in violation of norms

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, January 20

Ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Punjab and Haryana High Court over installation of submersible pumps in the district (declared as a red zone due to depleting water table) is being violated with impunity and that too by none other than a senior official of the Municipal Corporation.

A submersible pump is being installed in an under-construction house in Sector 32-A colony on Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road here under the administrative control of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) while the regulatory and enforcement staff of GLADA looks on helplessly.

In a complaint to the Principal Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Chief Administrator of PUDA and the Chief Administrator of GLADA, Council of Engineers (CoE) president Kapil Arora has asserted that a submersible pump was being illegally installed on a property (House No 3729) in the colony which was against the directions of the NGT as well as blanket ban imposed by Central Ground Water Board. The act was also a violation of provisions made in the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

He said the issue had gained more significance as the directions of the NGT, HC and the CGWB were being flouted by a ‘public servant’ who were supposed to keep check on violations. It has been pointed out that the rainwater harvesting system was also not being laid by the owner which was a mandatory requirement in all plots with a size above 120 sq yards as the said property had a plot area of 250 sq yards.

Arora said despite the directions of the high court to fix the responsibility and take action against erring officials, the authorities concerned (MC, LIT and GLADA) have been permitting installation of submersible pump and not laying rainwater harvesting system, an act that comes under the criminal proceedings under Section 217, IPC.

The complainant has urged to issue directions to GLADA and other authorities (MC and LIT) to put a stop to installation of illegal submersible pumps and also ensure compliance of laying rainwater harvesting system. The GLADA officials be also directed to take action on construction being done in violation of the building bylaws (if any) at the said under-construction house in the GLADA colony.

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