Ludhiana Advocacy Groups File Formal Objections Against School Land Conversion Proposal
In Ludhiana, local advocacy organizations have submitted formal objections against a controversial proposal by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) to convert land designated for a primary school into residential housing units. The Council of Engineers (COE) and the Public Action Committee (PAC) have presented their grievances to the principal secretary of the local bodies department and the LIT chairman, asserting that this move directly violates established urban planning regulations and the constitutional right to education.
Violation of Urban Planning Laws and Educational Rights
The protestors emphasize that the specific site is strictly earmarked for "educational use" under the officially approved Ludhiana Master Plan. They argue that educational land constitutes a distinct category within urban development frameworks, specifically designed to ensure balanced and sustainable growth across the city. According to their stance, such land cannot be legally converted without a formal and transparent amendment to the Master Plan itself.
Advocates are framing school land as a critical community asset rather than disposable real estate intended for commercial profit. Dr. Amandeep Bains of the PAC issued a stark warning, stating that introducing residential units in this location would "aggravate traffic congestion and overburden civic infrastructure" that was originally planned for a much lower population density. This conversion, they argue, would strain resources never designed to support additional residential demands.
Chronic Lack of Local Educational Facilities
The dispute is centrally focused on the Rajguru Nagar locality, an area that has been developed for over three decades. Activists point out that despite this lengthy period, the LIT has failed to establish even a single primary school within the neighborhood. Kapil Arora, a representative from the COE, expressed strong criticism, noting, "Instead of fulfilling the fundamental right of children protected under the Right to Education Act, the LIT is prioritizing extra earnings."
This absence of local schooling forces children, particularly those from underprivileged families, to undertake long and difficult commutes to distant schools. This situation creates a significant and unfair barrier to accessing education, undermining equitable opportunities for the community's youth.
Legal and Constitutional Obligations Under Scrutiny
Kuldeep Khaira of the PAC highlighted that the Rajguru Nagar scheme, established back in 1991-92, explicitly set aside this land to meet essential civic needs, including education. He argued that converting the site contradicts the state's constitutional duties under Article 21A, which guarantees the Right to Education, as well as Articles 38 and 39, which mandate social justice and equitable access to public resources.
The advocacy groups are demanding that the LIT immediately withdraw the conversion proposal and instead prioritize the construction of the long-overdue primary school. They stress that adhering to legal frameworks and honoring constitutional commitments must take precedence over potential commercial gains, ensuring that urban development serves the community's fundamental needs.
