The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has ignited a fresh controversy with a proposal to officially declare three major roads in the city as commercial zones. The move, aimed at legalising the numerous existing commercial establishments operating on these stretches, is scheduled for discussion and approval in the MC's general house meeting on December 26. However, the plan has met with fierce resistance from residents of Model Town, who have escalated their objections to the state's Chief Secretary.
Details of the Municipal Corporation's Proposal
In an agenda note prepared for the upcoming meeting, the civic body has justified the proposal by citing a significant surge in commercial activity already present on these roads. The MC argues that regularising this activity is in the public interest, given the heavy traffic these stretches bear, and will also generate additional revenue for the corporation. Officials claim the initiative is partly in response to applications submitted by residents themselves seeking commercialisation.
The first and most prominent proposal involves declaring the Model Town Post Office Road, stretching from Pal Chowk to Dugri Road, as a commercial zone. A recent survey revealed this road is 4,666 feet long and 60 feet wide. One side is already flanked by the commercial Model Town Round Market. The other side hosts 164 structures: 102 commercial, 31 residential, 12 vacant plots, and 18 mixed-use properties, alongside a gurdwara.
The second road under consideration runs from Ghanshyam Sweets to Sibia Hospital. This 715-foot-long stretch begins at Cemetery Road and meets Hambran Road. Its width varies from 83 feet near the start to 60 feet before the hospital, narrowing to 27.2 feet near Hambran Road. The MC notes it falls under the Malerkotla House town planning scheme, which permits commercial use on roads at least 60 feet wide. Currently, the road has four houses, four vacant plots, and six commercial properties.
The third proposal is for the road from Model Town Sehgal Garment to PK Corner. This 490-foot-long and 60-foot-wide road has the already commercial Gole Market on one side and 25 commercial structures on the other, with four old shops currently closed. The MC states this proposal also follows applications from local residents.
Strong Opposition from Model Town Residents
Contrary to the MC's claims of resident support, the proposal has triggered organised opposition. Residents of Model Town have written a formal letter of objection to the Chief Secretary, alleging that the civic body is attempting to retroactively legitimise "illegal and unlawful commercial activities" that have mushroomed in a planned residential area.
They accuse the MC of first failing to take action against zoning violations and now seeking to "reward" the violators by arbitrarily changing the designation of residential roads. Residents argue that unchecked commercialisation has led to severe problems, including:
- Frequent and chaotic traffic snarls.
- Environmental degradation and increased pollution.
- A compromised sense of physical and mental safety in the area.
Emphasising that Model Town was the first planned residential area developed by the state government, the residents have put forth a set of counter-demands. They are calling for a comprehensive survey of the locality, strict penal action against all illegal commercial activities and constructions, and exemplary action against MC officials allegedly abetting these violations.
The Road Ahead
The stage is set for a crucial deliberation in the MC general house on December 26. The corporation is poised to push for the commercial designation, highlighting regulatory rationalisation and revenue generation. On the other side, Model Town residents are mobilising to protect the residential character of their neighbourhood, citing law and order, environmental, and quality-of-life concerns. The outcome of this meeting will have significant implications for urban planning and citizen-civic body dynamics in Ludhiana.
