LUDHIANA: The NGT has asked the MC commissioner to appear in person or via virtual mode in a disposed of case pertaining to non-compliance with orders on removal of the MC extension office building and dumpyard in Sarabha Nagar as well as closure of some commercial outlets at Model Town Extension Road.
The orders mention that the registry is directed to issue show cause notices to the MC commissioner, CEO, Ludhiana Smart City Limited, deputy commissioner and chairman, Improvement Trust Ludhiana to show cause as to why action not be taken against them as mentioned above and also requiring them to file a compliance report at least three days before the next date of hearing, Feb 17.
Engineers Kapil Arora and Vikas Arora were petitioners in this case. The NGT, in its final orders on July 4, 2024, directed the MC to remove the illegal structures and encroachments from green belts situated in Sarabha Nagar and Model Town Extension in two months. The MC commissioner submitted a compliance report on Sep 8, 2024, seeking 15 days time to remove the statue of Lord Shiva.
The MC issued a letter on Aug 16, 2024, directing the assistant town planner to take action against unauthorised construction, whether temporary or permanent, from the premises of the park, namely Leisure Valley, and other establishments that have encroached upon the green belt.
On Sep 4, 2024, the civic body demolished unauthorised construction in the green belt, including the birth and death registration office, scrap yard, and office of the junior engineer in Leisure Valley under the supervision of the district magistrate and a representative of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. It was submitted that despite their efforts and negotiations with religious representatives regarding removal of the Lord Shiva statue, 15 more days were needed to identify an appropriate place to re-establish it.
On other structures, the MC said that they removed temporary sheds of a restaurant from the green belt and took steps against other violations. The civic body reiterated its commitment towards the creation of green belts for the benefit of city residents.
However, petitioner Kapil Arora said that the scrap yard had not been demolished. He also claimed that commercial outlets which had been sealed by the MC at the green belt in Model Town Extension were operational again.
Taking cognisance of this, the registrar general reopened the case as a miscellaneous application and the matter was heard recently.
The Tribunal observed that non-compliance with the order passed by the NGT constitutes an offence punishable under Section 26 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT Act, 2010), and the order passed by the Tribunal is also executable as a civil court decree under Section 25 of the NGT Act, 2010, as per modes of execution provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, including the mode of arrest and detention in civil prison.
Ankit Siwach, advocate had appeared and accepted the notice on behalf of the MC commissioner.
