Ludhiana: The municipal corporation (MC) launched a high-intensity clearance drive on Hambran Road on Wednesday, part of a broader strategic initiative to beautify the city’s primary entry points.The operation, which was marked by heated confrontations between officials and illegal occupants, resulted in a significant financial penalty for one local business and a stern warning to violators citywide. The joint operation, conducted by the MC’s tehbazaari, health, and building branches, targeted illegal structures and debris that have long choked traffic flow on the critical artery.The highlight of the crackdown was a Rs 50,000 fine slapped on a local scrap dealer. Officials found the dealer had occupied a substantial portion of government land and the public roadway. In a rare display of immediate enforcement, the MC recovered the full challan amount on the spot before clearing the site.Heated Stand-OffThe drive was not without friction. As teams moved in to dismantle temporary structures, encroachers engaged in “heated arguments” with enforcement officers. Zonal MC commissioner Jasdev Singh Sekhon remained firm, stating that the teams were acting under the direct orders of mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta. “The encroachments were removed, and the building branch has been further directed to recover pending change-of-land-use (CLU) charges from the landowner in question,” Sekhon said.A Greener, Cleaner GatewayThe clearance is only the first phase of the beautification plan. Once the roadways were cleared of physical obstructions, health branch officials were ordered to begin immediate sanitation efforts. Teams are tasked with removing accumulated rubbish and filth to improve the aesthetic appeal of the Hambran Road entrance. Zonal commissioner Sekhon confirmed that Wednesday’s action was not an isolated incident. Similar drives are scheduled for other city sectors in the coming days.The Municipal Corporation has issued a public appeal to Ludhiana residents, urging them to maintain the cleared areas and support the civic body’s “Clean and Green” mission. Officials warned that repeat offenders will face escalating legal action and heavier fines. MSID:: 127910803 413 |
