Encroachment is normal: UT official

As highlighted by Newsline on September 14, the 2nd Battalion of the Punjab Police has blatantly encroached upon 14 acres of prime land in the Capitol Complex behind the Punjab Civil Secretariat.

While the UT Administration had allowed the PAP to pitch their tents in a 6.5-acre area, they have cordoned off more than 20 acres and constructed checkposts at the boundaries of the encroached land as well.

But for UT Chief Engineer S K Jaitley, 8220;encroachment is normal8221;. He said: 8220;We are aware of the fact. Although I was asked to conduct a survey and submit a report, no deadline has been intimated to me for that. Thus, we are taking time to complete the survey.8221;

Meanwhile, a swanky mess, canteens, barracks and even a guesthouse pass off as 8216;pre-fabricated structures8217; UT Administration had allowed the pre-fabricated structures to come up on the land. The mango grove and guava orchards between the Chandigarh Club and Punjab Civil Secretariat have also been encroached upon. An attempt to camouflage the violations is also quite evident 8212; to conceal the unauthorised structures, the Punjab Police has allowed shrubs to grow wild and surround the area from all directions.