In a decisive move to curb unauthorized urban growth, Ludhiana's Municipal Commissioner, Aaditya Dachalwal, has launched a stringent crackdown on illegal construction activities across the city. The initiative places direct accountability on civic officials to monitor every new structure and ensure compliance with municipal bylaws.
Officials Directed to Provide Full Accountability
During a high-level review meeting held at the Zone D office on Friday, Commissioner Dachalwal issued clear directives to the building branch of the Municipal Corporation. He ordered officials, including assistant town planners (ATPs) and building inspectors, to submit formal certificates and comprehensive lists detailing all under-construction buildings within their respective jurisdictions.
The primary goal is to prevent revenue loss for the civic body and ensure that no construction project advances without a properly sanctioned building plan or the necessary challan (fee receipt). This shift in policy now places the burden of proof squarely on the officials, who must verify and report on all construction activity.
Verification and Recovery Drive to Boost City Coffers
The newly submitted lists will undergo rigorous cross-verification to confirm that no unauthorized work is overlooked. In addition to preventing future violations, Dachalwal has instructed the department to accelerate the recovery of outstanding challan amounts from past assessments that have remained unpaid. This dual approach aims to bring order to urban development while maximizing revenue collection for the city.
"Our objective is twofold: to bring order to the city's urban development and to maximize the recovery of dues," stated Commissioner Dachalwal. He emphasized that buildings erected without approved plans bypass critical safety checks and revenue protocols, posing risks to residents and the city's planning framework.
To ensure effective implementation, the commissioner has set strict weekly recovery targets for ATPs and inspectors, which will be closely monitored. Senior officials present at the meeting, including Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh and Joint Commissioners Vineet Kumar and Abhishek Sharma, were tasked with overseeing these operations and maintaining consistent enforcement across all city zones.
Strict Warning Issued to Ludhiana Residents
Parallel to the internal administrative crackdown, Commissioner Dachalwal issued a stern public appeal to the residents of Ludhiana. He urged all property owners and builders to strictly adhere to municipal building bylaws and warned that the corporation is prepared to take "strict action" against illegal constructions that commence without obtaining the necessary approvals.
"Residents must ensure their building plans are sanctioned before starting any construction work," Dachalwal cautioned. He made it clear that continuing work without the required permits would trigger immediate enforcement measures, which could include penalties or demolition.
To assist residents in avoiding legal complications, the Municipal Corporation has outlined a clear compliance checklist:
- Obtain formal approval from the MC Building Branch before commencing any construction activity.
- Ensure all development fees, charges, and associated dues are paid in full.
- Be prepared for site inspections by MC officials to verify that the ongoing work matches the approved building plan.
- Only occupy the building after receiving the final municipal completion or occupancy clearance.
This comprehensive drive signals a significant tightening of enforcement mechanisms in Ludhiana's urban development process, aiming to create a more structured, safe, and revenue-compliant cityscape.
