Remove illegal berm structure in 15 days: GMADA to residents

In a fresh notice to all urban allottees, GMADA on Friday issued strict orders against illegal construction on road berms and corner areas in Mohali and New Chandigarh, following the Municipal Corporation’s recent anti-encroachment drives. GMADA has directed that concrete structures and tiles around trees and plants without approval must be removed within 15 days failing which the authority will undertake demolition on its own.

The state development authority, in its notice, said that residents have cemented the area around plants on road berms, leaving the roots completely covered at multiple locations. This is a “clear violation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines”, the notice read. The NGT states that at least one metre of open soil must be left around every tree to ensure proper air and water supply to the roots.

Many people, they said, install tiles or concrete for aesthetics and convenience. Such practices stunt tree growth and worsen waterlogging during the monsoon, which results in stagnant water in many places. It has begun to damage roads which is also causing inconvenience to commuters.

GMADA in its warning has said that failure to remove the illegal construction within the stipulated period will lead to demolition“without any further notice”. The operation cost will be recovered from the allottees concerned, and any damage caused during the removal will also be the responsibility of the violators, the body said.