Ludh MC identifies illegal structures along Buddha Nullah banks, issues notices

Ludhiana: After taking action against meat and fish shops in Shivpuri area near Buddha Nullah, the municipal corporation (MC) has continued with its drive against illegal structures. The officials are identifying the structures built up on the drain land and are serving them notices to vacate the place.
Though National Scheduled Caste Commission (NCSC) has asked justification from the administration about removal of those shops at the drain, the officials claimed they removed shops which were constructed at drain land and these shopkeepers’ property numbers were registered at some other place.
The civic body has decided to construct a road on both sides of the nullah under Buddha Dariya Rejuvenation Project. Under this scheme, a survey was carried out on both sides of the water body to identify illegal structures which could create a hurdle in smooth flow of traffic; these structures are being removed one by one. In the past, action was also taken against encroachments in other areas including New Kundanpuri, Bajwa Nagar and Upkar Nagar.
At places where encroachment has been removed, chain-link fencing has been installed at both sides of the nullah. This has covered the nullah and stopped direct disposal of solid waste into it from those points.
Now officials have started serving notices to illegal properties between Shivpuri Bridge and Chand Cinema; at least 10 notices have already been served.
The officials claimed they check the area and issue notices on the spot.
An official claimed several cases have surfaced where people had purchased the properties, but they were registered at some other addresses. This has happened due to discrepancy in the records maintained by the revenue department, the official claimed on the condition of anonymity, adding that they got the records cross-checked twice before serving the notices to the defaulters.
Zonal commissioner, Neeraj Jain said, “We have started serving the notices to some more encroachers, and very shortly those will be removed as well.”
Notably, a 14-km-long stretch of the Buddha Nullah passes through the city, which falls under MC limits. But this drain is not in a uniform pattern, so there was need to streamline its banks. The civic officials had broadened its banks at almost all the points. At some locations, people have encroached the banks of the drain. Besides, heaps of debris and other waste material are also lying at its sides.