Amritsar Development Authority and PUDA Take Action Against Unauthorized Colonies

Following the guidelines issued by the Punjab government, the Amritsar Development Authority (ADA), under the leadership of Chief Administrator Ankurjeet Singh, IAS, and Additional Chief Administrator Major Amit Sareen, PCS, has taken strict action against unauthorized colonies. Acting on the orders, District Town Planner (Regulatory) Gursewak Singh Aulakh, along with the ADA regulatory team and the presence of police officers from Thana Tarsikka, conducted a demolition drive against unauthorized colonies being developed in the villages of Tangra and Wazir Bhullar along Jalandhar GT Road.

The District Town Planner (DTP) provided information stating that to regulate future development, an illegal colony being developed behind Sant Enclave in Wazir Bhullar village was served notices under the PAPRA Act, 1995. Despite the issuance of notices and a lack of response from the colony owners, development activities continued, leading to the demolition of structures under the directions of senior officials. In addition to this, an unauthorized colony in Tangra, which had previously been demolished, had resumed construction, and new structures were once again brought down in the recent action.

The DTP also clarified that individuals involved in unauthorized colony developments could face penalties, including imprisonment of 3 to 7 years and fines ranging from ₹2 to ₹5 lakh under the PAPRA Act. A total of 13 FIRs have been filed against such colonizers with the police.

To curb unauthorized developments, PUDA’s regulatory wing conducts regular inspections across the Amritsar district. Notices are issued under the PAPRA Act, 1995, to halt illegal activities, with police officers directed to proceed with legal actions. Additionally, awareness boards have been placed at these sites, warning the public against purchasing plots in unauthorized colonies.

The DTP, Amritsar, has appealed to the public to verify PUDA approvals before buying plots in such unauthorized colonies, as purchasing in unapproved areas could lead to financial losses and legal complications.