In a significant crackdown on unauthorized construction, the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has demolished three illegal colonies that were being developed in blatant violation of norms. The action, which took place on Tuesday, targeted sites in the villages of Mundian Kalan, Sekhewal, and Kanganwal on the outskirts of Ludhiana.
Widespread Demolition Drive Across Multiple Villages
The demolition squad, led by GLADA's Additional Chief Administrator Kulwant Singh, operated with heavy machinery to level the illegal structures. The largest operation was in Mundian Kalan, where approximately 4.5 acres of land were being illegally subdivided and sold as plots. Authorities used earthmovers to destroy boundary walls, roads, and other infrastructure that had been laid by the developers to lure buyers.
Similar scenes unfolded in Sekhewal, where developers had carved out an illegal colony on about 2 acres, and in Kanganwal, where another 1.5 acres of unauthorized development was razed. The GLADA team ensured that all physical markers of the colonies, including plotted divisions and access roads, were completely removed to prevent any immediate resumption of activity.
FIR Recommendations and Fraudulent Sales
Following the demolition, GLADA has taken a stern legal step. The authority has formally written to the Ludhiana Commissioner of Police, recommending the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the developers involved. The recommended charges are serious, including cheating and fraud, as the developers were allegedly selling plots without any legal approval or necessary permissions from the planning body.
"These developers were misleading innocent people by selling plots in colonies that have not been approved by any competent authority," stated a GLADA official involved in the operation. The action aims to not only punish the lawbreakers but also to serve as a strong deterrent to others engaged in similar illegal practices across the region.
Public Warning and Future Vigilance
GLADA has issued a clear warning to the public, urging extreme caution when purchasing property. Prospective buyers must verify that the colony and the developer have obtained a valid license from GLADA or the relevant municipal corporation. Purchasing land in unlicensed colonies carries immense risk, including the possibility of demolition, lack of basic amenities, and no legal title.
This drive is part of GLADA's ongoing campaign to curb the menace of illegal colonies that proliferate around Ludhiana. These unauthorized developments often bypass crucial regulations concerning layout, provision of parks, sewage, water supply, and roads, leading to chaotic urban sprawl and living problems for residents.
The authority has announced that such demolition drives will continue in the future. They have also appealed to citizens to report any suspicious development activity in their vicinity directly to GLADA offices, so that prompt action can be taken before more people are duped.
