Locals say nay to MC’s commercial pitch for roads

Ludhiana: Citing a surge in commercial activity, the municipal corporation (MC) has proposed declaring three roads in the city as commercial. The proposal, aimed at legalising existing commercial establishments on these stretches, will be tabled in the MC general house meeting on Dec 26. The move, however, has triggered sharp opposition from residents of Model Town, who have written to the chief secretary, objecting to the plan.MC's proposal for commercialisationIn the agenda note prepared for the general house meeting, the MC stated that the proposal seeks to regularise commercial activity already taking place on three roads. The civic body also cited heavy traffic on these stretches and said the move would be in public interest while generating additional revenue for the corporation.The MC claimed that residents of Model Town had themselves sought commercialisation of certain stretches and referred to applications submitted in this regard.The MC has proposed declaring Model Town Post Office Road—from Pal Chowk to Dugri Road—as commercial. Officials said this was in line with an application submitted by residents on Nov 27.A survey of the road shows that it is 4,666 feet long and 60 feet wide. On one side, the road is flanked by the Model Town Round Market, which has already been declared commercial. On the other side, there are 164 structures—102 being used for commercial purposes, 31 for residential use, 12 vacant plots and 18 being used for both residential and commercial purposes. One structure houses a gurdwara.The second proposal involves declaring the road from Ghanshyam Sweets to Sibia Hospital as commercial. According to MC records, this road falls under the Malerkotla House town planning scheme, which allows commercial activity on roads with a minimum width of 60 feet.The stretch begins from Cemetery Road near Ghanshyam Sweets and meets Hambran Road. It is 715 feet long. The width is 83 feet near Ghanshyam Sweets, 60 feet before Sibia Hospital and narrows to 27.2 feet near Hambran Road. There are four houses, four vacant plots and six commercial properties along this road.The third proposal is to declare the road from Model Town Sehgal Garment to PK Corner as commercial. MC officials said residents had applied for this stretch to be commercialised.The road is 490 feet long and 60 feet wide. Gole Market, already declared a commercial centre, is located on one side. On the other side are 25 structures being used for commercial purposes. Four structures are old shops that are currently closed. As per norms, commercial construction is permitted on 60-foot-wide roads.Residents oppose moveDespite the MC's assertion that residents support the proposal, Model Town residents have alleged that the civic body is attempting to legitimise "illegal and unlawful commercial activities" taking place in residential areas.Residents claimed that MC officials had failed to act against violators and were now seeking to "reward" them by arbitrarily declaring residential roads as commercial. They said rampant commercialisation had led to frequent traffic snarls, environmental degradation due to pollution, and had made the area physically and mentally unsafe.They also maintained that Model Town was the first planned residential area developed by the state government and demanded a comprehensive survey of the locality, strict penal action against illegal commercial activities and constructions, and exemplary action against officials allegedly abetting such violations.BOX | Roads in MC proposal Model Town Post Office Road: Pal Chowk to Dugri RoadModel Town: Sehgal Garment to PK CornerCemetery Road: Ghanshyam Sweets to Sibia HospitalBOX | Residents' demandsComprehensive survey of Model TownStrict penal action against illegal commercial activitiesAction against officials allegedly abetting violationsMSID:: 126140560 413 |