Political Firestorm Erupts Over Alleged Illegal Construction on Ludhiana Drain
A high-stakes confrontation has unfolded along the banks of the Buddha Dariya in Basant Nagar, near Shivpuri, Ludhiana, as allegations of illegal construction on the drain's path have ignited a fierce political battle. The controversy centers on what opposition parties claim is blatant encroachment on government land, with senior leaders physically intervening to halt the project.
Political Leaders Take Direct Action at Construction Site
BJP leader Parveen Bansal and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader RD Sharma arrived at the scene near the Shivpuri fish market, directly accusing the local MLA and councillor of facilitating illegal occupation. The leaders pointed to what they called a glaring contradiction: while the government recently vacated land in the same area citing illegal occupation, new construction is now emerging just a short distance away on Buddha Dariya's territory.
"We received alerts from area residents about an RCC wall being constructed in a zig-zag pattern along the side of the drain," reported Bansal. "The apparent purpose is to narrow the waterbody to create plots for encroachers, which would significantly worsen flooding during monsoon seasons and cause severe distress to local neighborhoods."
Municipal Corporation's Contradictory Actions Under Scrutiny
The municipal corporation (MC) initially halted the construction work on Tuesday, but its subsequent decision to allow resumption has drawn sharp criticism. Former deputy mayor RD Sharma questioned the silence of MC officials regarding the violation, noting that despite the work being stopped on Tuesday evening, it resumed shortly after without official pushback.
Sharma also criticized what he called the waste of public funds, pointing out that substantial investments previously made in chain-link fencing and a walkway alongside the drain have been rendered useless as both infrastructure elements now sit in a state of decay.
Residents Express Frustration Over Repeated Violations
Local residents voiced additional frustration, claiming that the MC has demolished illegal structures at this specific site four times in the past. They expressed disbelief at current discussions about "registering" these encroachments and permitting the construction of shops on what they maintain is clearly government land.
"How many times must we go through this cycle of illegal construction followed by demolition?" asked one resident who wished to remain anonymous. "The talk of now regularizing these encroachments makes no sense when we've seen this land cleared multiple times before."
Municipal Corporation's Official Response
For their part, MC officials have denied any complicity in the alleged illegal construction. They stated that they have received the formal complaint and are currently cross-referencing records with the revenue department to determine the land's legal status.
The officials emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding the construction, and they are following proper procedures to verify land ownership documents before taking any further action. This bureaucratic process, however, has done little to calm the political tensions that have erupted around the Buddha Dariya site.
The situation remains volatile as political parties continue to trade accusations while residents worry about the potential flooding consequences of any narrowing of the crucial drainage channel. With monsoon season approaching, the timing of this construction controversy has added urgency to the ongoing dispute over Ludhiana's drainage infrastructure.
