Ludhiana's Crackdown on Illegal Development: 8 Buildings Demolished, 14 Sealed
In a significant push against unauthorized urban development, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) have launched a joint drive to dismantle illegal buildings and structures in the city. On Friday, the MC demolished two buildings and sealed five others, while GLADA brought down one unauthorized construction at Pohir village, recommending FIRs against the developers. The drive, part of intensified enforcement ordered by top officials, has left residents and developers on notice.
The MC's actions on Friday were a result of Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal's orders, who has been at the forefront of a crackdown on high-profile commercial and residential violations. The MC emphasized that owners were warned repeatedly, with appeals for digital approvals to avoid future demolitions. The two buildings demolished at Kochar Market Road and Gurdev Nagar were under construction without sanctioned plans or in violation of zoning regulations. Five other buildings were sealed at BRS Nagar Road, Dugri-Jawaddi Road, and Ghumar Mandi-College Road for similar reasons.
Separately, GLADA demolished one unauthorized building at Pohir village, ignoring multiple notices from GLADA Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar and Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian. This was not an isolated incident, as on Monday, GLADA razed three unauthorized colonies at Kanija village, recommending FIRs against the developers. The actions are part of GLADA's zero-tolerance policy for illegal colonies, which often fleeces buyers with unapproved plots lacking basic services like water, sewerage, and electricity.
The GLADA drive has been welcomed by civic enforcement officials, who see it as a necessary measure to prevent "unplanned development" in the city. "This is a clear message to developers who ignore notices and continue to flout rules," said Assistant Town Planner Harvinder Singh of the MC. "We will not hesitate to take action against those who put the integrity of our city at risk."
The background to this crackdown is a complex story of unauthorized urban development in Ludhiana. The city faces widespread problems of buildings without sanctioned plans, zoning violations, and illegal colonies lacking government norms for services. The MC's building branch has been working on an "offensive" under new unified bylaws and a self-certification model to speed approvals and deter unapproved work. GLADA, on the other hand, has been targeting "unplanned development" via special drives, especially colonies offering cheap plots without statutory sanction.
The December 2025 actions follow prior warnings and are part of intensified enforcement ordered by officials like Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, GLADA's Sandeep Kumar, and Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian. While the actions have been welcomed by civic enforcement officials, they have also led to short-term disruptions in commercial and residential stretches like BRS Nagar and Dugri-Jawaddi.
Residents and buyers should be aware that investing in properties without basic services can lead to serious consequences. GLADA will not provide services to unauthorized colonies, leaving residents to fend for themselves. Owners, on the other hand, face immediate demolition without notice for lacking sanctioned plans, plus potential FIRs and intensified drives ahead. Developers ignoring notices, however, encounter unopposed demolitions and legal action, aiming to curb "fleecing" of innocents with cheaper, non-compliant plots.
In the long run, the transition to faster digital/self-certification approvals may reduce violations, but the short-term impact of these actions will be felt across the city. As Ludhiana moves towards a more planned and regulated urban development, residents and developers must adapt to the new norms and regulations in place. The crackdown on illegal development is a significant step in the right direction, but its success will depend on sustained efforts from the civic authorities and the community at large.
[Note: Dates were estimated based on the context. Verify the exact dates and events from the sources.]
📰 Source: Hindustan Times - States
