GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) plans to transfer 76 supervisors following ongoing allegations of collusion with contractors in illegal construction activities. Residents claim that these supervisors, in alliance with private builders, demand substantial bribes to ignore unauthorized floors.
The GDA oversees around 200 supervisors across its seven zones, but its regulations do not outline a maximum tenure for postings. Many supervisors on the transfer list have been stationed in the same zone for over five years.
GDA officials acknowledged that prolonged postings have led to “unholy alliances” with local realtors. The reshuffling aims to mitigate the rise of illegal colonies, which increased from 321 in 2021 to 351, now occupying approximately 3,000 acres.
While the GDA guidelines mandate that supervisors report illegal constructions to the appropriate junior engineers and senior officials, they are primarily viewed as the authority’s front-line operatives.
Supervisors are also responsible for inspecting the quality of construction materials and ensuring compliance with sanctioned plans. However, their deep-rooted connections with contractors complicate matters. For instance, a Vaishali resident recounted how a contractor requested Rs 40,000 on behalf of a GDA official to permit the construction of an extra floor in their two-story residence.
“We hired a private contractor, drafted a cost estimate, and arranged for construction materials to be delivered,” they explained. Nevertheless, a GDA supervisor visited their home later and warned them against proceeding with the project due to regulatory violations. Unsure of their next steps, the family contemplated abandoning the plan until the contractor assured them it could be ‘managed’ for Rs 40,000. The construction continued without further interference, revealing the collusion between contractors and supervisors only later,” they added.
A GDA representative stated that despite established checks and balances, illegal construction persists in the city. “We’ve determined that many supervisors remain in the same zones for extended periods, fostering relationships with contractors that facilitate unauthorized construction. This relationship must be dissolved, prompting the GDA to compile a list of 76 supervisors for reassignment to different zones.”
