LUDHIANA: History seems to be repeating itself with Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) authorities stopping transfer of colonies to the MC for maintenance.
LIT officials justified the move saying that they were yet to recover a large amount in the form of non-construction fee (NCF) from defaulters. Besides, they said that certain properties were left in these colonies for auction, due to which they could not hand them over.
The LIT has already handed over the water supply and sewerage system at Maharishi Balmiki Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Rajguru Nagar and Sant Isher Singh flats to the civic body. The trust developed these colonies over 25 years ago. Usually, scheme areas are transferred in this time period.
LIT officials had been trying to get approval from the local bodies department to shift the colonies to the civic body for more than six months but now, they have stopped the process.
Trust chairman Tarsem Bhinder confirmed the development and said, “First, we will complete recovery of pending dues from defaulters, only then will we hand over the colonies to the civic body. Sale of properties is also pending.”
The decision will have a great impact on residents of the colonies, where no maintenance work is being done or basic facilities provided.
SBS Nagar resident Arvind Sharma said, “The LIT has no arrangements for sanitation of these areas as they do not have their own staff. They used to get it done by private contractors but that has also become an irregular feature.”