Latest news with #PeripheryAct
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Encroachment watch: Post-slum cleanup, UT shifts focus to periphery
1 2 Chandigarh: After reclaiming vast stretches of government land from slums nestled within the city's sectoral grid, the Chandigarh administration is now shifting its gaze outward — to the city's vulnerable periphery, where unauthorized constructions continue to mushroom. Determined not to let hard-won gains slip away, the UT estate office has launched a robust crackdown strategy. Deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer Nishant Kumar Yadav announced a fortified enforcement mechanism, complete with additional manpower and a system to hold officials personally accountable for any lapses. "We've cleared the sectoral grids through multiple anti-encroachment drives last year. Now, our focus is on prevention," Yadav said. "We've increased the number of junior engineers to 12, with seven sourced from the Chandigarh Housing Board. Additionally, 10 new patwaris have been hired on contract to monitor villages under the Periphery Act." The plan is simple but strict: boots on the ground, eyes wide open. Officials will conduct regular inspections and submit monthly certificates affirming that no new encroachments have occurred in their jurisdiction. Any breach will trigger disciplinary action. Interestingly, this isn't the administration's first attempt at tech-driven vigilance. A few years ago, an ambitious plan was floated to use high-resolution satellite imagery and GIS technology to detect land-use changes. The system promised automated alerts, fortnightly reports, a control room, and even a mobile app. But despite its futuristic promise, the project fizzled out before it could take flight. Now, the administration is returning to basics — physical inspections and human accountability. Across 11 villages, only 229 acres are legally designated for habitation, while 254 acres have been encroached upon, often in blatant violation of the Periphery Act. "Of the total area of 6,334 acres of villages - Khuda Ali Sher, Khuda Jassu, Khuda Lahora, Sarangpur, Dhanas, Behlana, Raipur Khurd, Daria, Mauli Jagran, Kaimbwala, and Raipur Kalan, 125 acres fall under the abadi deh and 104 acres under extended abadi. Unauthorized construction beyond Lal Dora is to the tune of 254 acres," states the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. Village Daria, which has 4 acres under abadi deh, has 102 acres of unauthorized construction around it.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mohali farmers oppose govt's land pooling policy, demand rollback
Farmers from several villages in Mohali district staged a protest outside the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office on Monday, demanding the immediate roll back of the Punjab government's land pooling policy. The farmers alleged that GMADA was offering compensation far below prevailing market rates. They also raised concerns over unresolved grievances from past land acquisitions. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Agitated over what they termed an 'unjust and forceful acquisition' of their land, the villagers submitted a memorandum addressed to chief minister Bhagwant Mann through GMADA's chief administrator. Farmers from Patton, Siau, Badi, Kishanpura, Kurdi and Matran participated in the protest, asserting they would not surrender their agricultural land under any circumstances. 'We are the rightful residents and cultivators of our villages. We do not consent to register our land with GMADA,' said Harvinder Singh, Lambardar of one of the protesting villages. The farmers alleged that GMADA was offering compensation far below prevailing market rates. They also raised concerns over unresolved grievances from past land acquisitions. Citing the Aerocity project, they said land acquired in 2009 was yet to be fully compensated. 'If the government charges 18% interest on delayed payments from citizens, then why are farmers not paid interest for the delay in allotment?' the memorandum questioned. Protesters further alleged that land for the Aerotropolis project was transferred to private developers and influential individuals, while farmers were given plots in remote and underdeveloped sectors. 'Private builders have constructed luxury apartments and are selling them at premium rates. Meanwhile, we were allotted plots without even basic infrastructure,' said a protester. The farmers also highlighted issues with land acquired for Sectors 88 and 89 in 2011, which resulted in plot allocations in Sectors 95-A and 95-B—areas they claim remain undeveloped. 'The rooms and booths given to us are unusable. We cannot even rent them for another 15 years,' said another protester. Citing the IT City project and mixed land use approvals in Ghawarpur, Bhat, and Chau Majra, the protesters accused GMADA of profiting without compensating original landowners. They demanded that farmers be granted equal rights to develop their land and build high-rises and luxury housing on their land just like private developers. Referring to a past social media post by the chief minister, the farmers reminded, 'The chief minister himself assured that no farmer would be forced to part with land.' They demanded exclusion of their villages from the land pooling policy and Periphery Act, and inclusion under the Zirakpur municipal committee, warning that forced acquisition would only lead to conflict and distress.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Adarsh Colony razed, Chandigarh administration considers declaring city ‘slum free'
1 2 3 Chandigarh: After the demolition of Adarsh Colony on Thursday, UT administration is considering declaring the city "slum free." Another slum cluster, Shahpur Colony, is still standing but UT officials contend that most of it is located on private land and requires proceedings under the Periphery Act. Shahpur Colony has around 300 shanties spread over four acres of land. Deputy commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav said, "We will request the UT administration to declare the city 'slum free' as all the major slum clusters standing on government land have been demolished. Shahpur Colony is predominantly on private agricultural land. The constructions are in violation of the Periphery Act, and consequently, action will proceed as per the Act in the case of Shahpur Colony." In a major crackdown on illegal encroachments on Thursday, the UT administration carried out an eviction and demolition drive at Adarsh Colony, located between sectors 53 and 54. The drive led to the recovery of around 12 acres of prime government land estimated to be worth Rs 350 crore. There were around 800 hutments in the colony. Residents started removing their belongings after the UT estate office pasted notices of eviction in the colony. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo They moved out of the colony in large numbers on Wednesday. The operation started early in the morning in the presence of heavy police force. The reclaimed land will now be utilised in accordance with planned urban development goals. "The administration reiterates its commitment to ensuring planned and legal urban growth while protecting the rights and safety of all citizens. Residents are once again urged to refrain from unauthorised construction and occupation, as the administration continues to pursue similar action across other identified areas in the city," said a UT spokesman. BOX: 'No effort made to rehabilitate us' Many of the evicted residents said that the administration made no effort to rehabilitate them even when they had requisite documents. However, UT officials contended that despite previous notices, several structures and makeshift dwellings continued to encroach upon government land. "The administration served multiple notices and warnings to unauthorised occupants in the recent past, providing ample opportunity for voluntary compliance. Some petitioners approached the high court against the demolition drive, but the petition was dismissed," Yadav said. BOX: Reclaiming govt land In the last two months, the administration has demolished two major slum clusters. On May 6, Janta Colony in Sector 25 was demolished. Ten acres of encroached government land was reclaimed during the drive, during which more than 10,000 residents were removed and 2,500 structures demolished. In April, UT reclaimed six acres of land by demolishing Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase 1. During the drive, 1,200 hutments were demolished and around 6,000 people were evicted. MSID:: 121957278 413 |
