Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Seizes Building Blocking Access to Martyr's Ancestral House
In a significant development for a long-pending civic project, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) on Sunday took possession of a 44.50 square-yard building that had been obstructing the creation of a direct access road to the ancestral house of martyr Sukhdev Thapar. The action was carried out peacefully in the presence of police personnel and the tehsildar, with no opposition encountered at the site.
Peaceful Possession Marks Project Breakthrough
The civic body did not face any resistance during the operation, as the building owner had already started vacating the premises after receiving directions from authorities. This possession marked a crucial step forward in a project that had seen various departments repeatedly shifting responsibility to one another over an extended period.
On Sunday morning, MC officials reached the spot and waited for police and district administration teams to join them. They then pasted a notice on the door of the building, formally declaring that it now belonged to the Municipal Corporation, and locked it securely. The civic body plans to demolish the existing structures and construct a road from the Chaura Bazaar side, which will provide direct access to Naughara Mohalla and the ancestral house of the freedom fighter.
Progress on Multiple Properties
A total of five properties had come in the way of providing this important access route. Of these, the 44.50-square-yard property taken over on Sunday was the largest obstruction. Work was already underway on two smaller properties measuring three square yards and five square yards respectively.
One property had been voluntarily donated by its owner, while negotiations were continuing for the fifth property, whose owners had indicated readiness to give the required land for the project. This multi-pronged approach demonstrates the administration's commitment to resolving all obstacles systematically.
Memorial Trust Welcomes Development
Members of the Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust expressed satisfaction over the MC's action and voiced the hope that the administration and civic body would not delay the subsequent steps. They emphasized that the structures should now be demolished promptly to maintain momentum.
With March 23 marking the martyrdom anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Rajguru, trust members urged officials to aim for completing the road construction so that people can easily reach the ancestral house and pay their tributes on this significant occasion. This timeline adds urgency to the project's completion.
Technical Assessments and Safety Guidelines
The MC had earlier initiated comprehensive technical assessments related to the project. In October last year, the civic body conducted a structural safety test of four buildings that were obstructing the proposed access route. The assessment, carried out by experts from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, recommended manual demolition as the safest approach.
The detailed report noted that the structures were four to five decades old, and using mechanical means could endanger adjoining buildings due to their age and structural condition. This careful evaluation underscores the administration's commitment to safety throughout the demolition process.
Expert Recommendations for Demolition
According to experts from the engineering college, all buildings in the affected row, along with those abutting them, should be vacated completely before demolition begins. If any owners wished to retain their structures, they would need to carry out retrofitting and strengthening to address structural deficiencies and meet current safety standards.
Experts further advised specific demolition protocols:
- Dismantling should be executed manually rather than mechanically
- Work should start from the top-most floor or terrace and proceed downward
- Debris generated during demolition should be dropped directly to the ground to prevent overloading slabs
- Suitable chutes should be used to channel debris safely to a vacant area
Administration Commits to Timely Progress
Speaking on the development, senior deputy mayor Rakesh Prashar stated that with land possession now complete, the MC would attempt to begin the demolition process at the earliest opportunity. This would allow road construction from the Chaura Bazaar side to move forward efficiently and ensure proper access to the ancestral house of the national martyr.
The coordinated effort between multiple departments, technical experts, and community stakeholders represents a comprehensive approach to resolving a longstanding civic issue while honoring the legacy of India's freedom fighters.
