LUDHIANA: The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada) is intensifying its crackdown on illegal urban sprawl, conducting a demolition of an unauthorized colony in Sahnewal on Wednesday.
This operation was mandated by Punjab’s housing and urban development minister, Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with Glada chief administrator Sandeep Kumar, targeting developers who have disregarded several legal notices to cease construction. A specialized enforcement team executed the demolition and sealing efforts, which officials confirmed faced no opposition.
The authority announced it will now seek criminal charges and register FIRs against the implicated developers, reaffirming its “zero-tolerance” policy towards unplanned development.
The ongoing initiative targets deceitful real estate developers who entice prospective buyers with cheap plots lacking necessary legal approvals. A Glada spokesperson emphasized, “A special drive has been initiated to take strict action against those deceiving innocent residents under the pretense of offering low-cost plots in unauthorized colonies.”
No amenities for illegal plots
Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar issued a strong warning to the public about the risks associated with investing in unapproved colonies. Key advice for potential buyers includes the need for service verification and ensuring compliance with mapped layouts. Properties within unauthorized colonies will not receive water, sewerage, or electricity connections from Glada. Buyers are urged to check the official Glada website for a list of approved and regularized colonies, as only projects with government-sanctioned layout maps are deemed legal for purchase.
This demolition is part of a broader series of enforcement actions unfolding across the Ludhiana district, with similar campaigns recently executed in Manakwal, Mehmoodpura, and Pohir, as the state government aims to control the expansion of unregulated settlements.
