Encroachments by industries not on MC radar

The municipal corporation (MC) of Ludhiana recently issued notices to 156 encroachers (who made permanent encroachments) of the industrial area A near Cheema Chowk, but it failed to pay attention towards encroachments raised by industries in the area.

Though these industries have raised both permanent and temporary encroachments, the MC has not taken any steps to remove them.

Some industries have encroached upon a large area of the government land and have also constructed walls and installed wires to make parking lots. Besides, old machines and scrap are also kept on encroached land outside several industrial units which is causing inconvenience to commuters.

On visiting the area it was found that several industries do not provide parking facilities to their employees. Some of the industrialists have even deployed security guards on encroached land.

Sources said the encroachments were in the knowledge of the MC officials, but they were afraid to take action due to political interference and involvement of influential persons of the city.

Besides, the MC had given a deadline to other encroachers many of who are migrants to vacate the land by Tuesday. These encroachers are also raising questions as to why influential people are being spared.

President of Council of RTI activists Rohit Sabharwal has also filed a complaint to the local bodies department and the MC against encroachments by the prominent industries. He also accused the MC of not taking action against influential persons.

In his complaint, Sabharwal claimed that the width of the roads had been decreased due to these encroachments.

It has been learnt that these encroachments were raised many years ago but MC officials generally avoid taking action. There are around 20 factories which are violating the norms by raising encroachments, as per sources.

When contacted, zonal commissioner Kamlesh Bansal said, “These encroachments are of temporary type and complaint has been was forwarded to the tehbazari wing. The department concerned will take action.”

MC assistant commissioner Satwant Singh, who is also the chief of tehbazari wing, claimed that he would take action after looking into the complaint.