2 min readLudhianaAug 1, 2011 04:08 AM IST
First published on: Aug 1, 2011 at 04:08 AM IST
Land worth rupees crores ‘encroached’ by slum dwellers,commercial activity booming
More than 8 acres of Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) land on the main Pakhowal road costing in crores was a favourite spot for the jhuggi dwellers since long,however over the years not only the number of jhuggis have increased but now commercial activity has also started.
The dwellers named their slum,Jamuna colony. The front portion of the colony now has temporary structures serving as fruit and vegetable shops,dhabhas,daily need items and much more. The shops are a big hit not only among the jhuggi dwellers,but also for the daily wagers on their commute. The dwellers are also busy converting their jhuggis into semi-pucca structures because the administration has turned a blind eye to the encroachment.
A vegetable market has also been organised every Thursday for many years,but due to increase in number of jhuggis,the vendors hardly find any space for the market now.
The land under question was involved in a litigation case,but LIT won and now owns the land,but despite that no effort is being made to get the encroachment removed.
The officials of LIT have indicated ‘political pressure’ due to which they are not interested in removing the jhuggi dwellers because the dwellers have voter and ration cards. The slum represents a massive vote bank and the politicians are not interested in getting on their bad side.
The dwellers have also been given facility of submersible pump from Punjab Nirman funds to get water supply on encroached government land. The funds were given by former Minister Harnam Das Johar and the water supply was initiated by the present MLA Harish Rai Dhanda after he won the elections.
Chairman of LIT,Madan Mohan Vyas said,“I am not bothered about any political pressure. The plan to get this land vacated will be chalked out at the earliest. We cannot let our multi-crore land be wasted like this.”
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