PUDA-approved colonies cry for development, admn apathetic

With several colonisers of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) approved colonies failing to ensure maintenance, and thus, not getting completion certificates from GLADA, thousands of the families living here are feeling cheated owing to the lack of access to basic amenities in these areas, which are outside the MC limit.

Since the government and the local administration don’t keep a check on such colonisers, residents are generally at the receiving end. One such colony is Basant City — an area that lacks facilities like well-constructed roads, proper sewerage system, functioning street lights and adequate water supply. The residents say broken roads at all areas welcome you everywhere, while improper sewerage system and non-functioning street lights have also made their life difficult.

The residents allege the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has not started development in the area as the coloniser concerned has not obtained the completion certificate, which can be given only after all these facilities are given to the area people.

Despite several demands, the streets here have not been re-carpeted for years, and there is no proper sewage treatment system, said members of the Basant City Residents’ Welfare Association.

“It’s the coloniser’s responsibility to provide us all these basic amenities. Despite bringing these issues to the notice of the coloniser (Damini Resorts and Builders Private Limited), GLADA, and public representatives, nothing has been done as of now,” said Vinod Kalia, the association chief.

“I purchased a plot in 2002, but didn’t see any development in the area after that. The illegal colonies are being regularised, but our PUDA-approved colony still lacks the basic facilities. Though GLADA chief administrator also visited the area recently, the coloniser has not completed the required works,” added Kalia.

Meanwhile, an employee working for the coloniser stated the residents are not paying user charges for maintenance.

Another resident Jaswinder Singh, retired superintending engineer of the Punjab water supply and sanitation department, said, “The residents of many other PUDA-approved colonies are facing similar problems. The government should pay the attention and take immediate measures,” he added. Other areas like Basant Vihar, Basant Avenue, etc. also accuse the authorities of ignoring these areas. Recently, the Basant Vihar residents met mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and demanded it be shifted it under the MC.

Resident of Basant Avenue, Gurdeep Singh Samra said, “Our PUDA-approved colony is underdeveloped due to apathetic nature of the authorities and the coloniser. The government must pay the attention.”

GLADA estate officer Ram Singh admitted that many colonies have been complaining the lack of maintenance in their areas. “If the colonisers fulfill the required formalities, they can also obtain completion certificate,” he said. Singh added they are planning to take legal action against the colonisers who have failed to fulfill the mandatory norms. When contacted, GLADA chief administrator Kanwalpreet Kaur Brar said, “We will take the required steps as per the norms.”