RUDRAPUR: To address unauthorized urban sprawl, the District Development Authority (DDA) has enacted a comprehensive ban on construction activities in approximately 900 illegal colonies throughout Udham Singh Nagar district as of Saturday night. This decision follows an order from District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria due to rampant encroachments on Nazul land and unregulated building activities.
Areas like Rudrapur, Kashipur, Bajpur, Khatima, Nanakmatta, Gadarpur, Dineshpur, and Jaspur have been flagged for violations, with numerous colonies being developed without adherence to legal regulations or development standards.
DDA Secretary Pankaj Upadhyay stated, “There are nearly 900 colonies in the district that have been developed illegally. Following the DM’s directives, all construction in these colonies has been halted. Anyone found breaking the law will face legal repercussions. Illegal construction will not be tolerated, and stringent measures will be taken against offenders.”
The administration revealed that property transactions via stamp papers have surpassed legal land registrations, signaling widespread irregularities in property dealings. “We have noted that most land sales occur through stamp deeds rather than registries. This practice will not be permitted moving forward,” Upadhyay added.
Rudrapur has become an industrial hub, hosting several national companies in the SIDCUL area, leading to an influx of people from states like UP and Bihar. This has resulted in extensive areas surrounding the industrial zone being transformed into illegal colonies, with multi-story buildings rapidly constructed, often allegedly facilitated by local property dealers.
The administration suspects that some developers, in collusion with intermediaries, have been subdividing plots and selling them without proper approvals, contravening building regulations. The DDA has cautioned that any ongoing or future construction in these areas will incur penalties and may be subject to demolition.
