Proposed Destruction in the name of development.

Good News

2010-01-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

Dainik Bhaskar highlights our issue.

On 8th December this news was published in Dainik Bhaskar.

Today they have published the response from GMADA.

मुल्लांपुर सिक्सलेन रोड की री-अलाइनमेंट होगी

मनोज जोशी

मोहाली. चंडीगढ़ सीमा से माजरा तक सिक्सलेन प्रोजेक्ट के प्रारूप पर गमाडा विचार करने को तैयार हो गया है। पुरानी सड़क को 200 मीटर चौड़ा किया जाना है। मौजूदा प्रारूप की जद में 150 दुकानें और 90 मकान आ रहे हैं। इनको गिराने के नोटिस भेजकर लोगों से आपत्तियां मांगी गई थीं।

प्रभावित लोगों की समस्या को दैनिक भास्कर ने 8 दिसंबर को प्रमुखता के साथ प्रकाशित किया था। इसके बाद गमाडा ने यह फैसला किया है। गमाडा के मुख्य प्रशासक विवेक प्रताप सिंह का कहना है कि आपत्तियों का अध्ययन किया जा रहा है। इस पर पंजाब के चीफ टाउन प्लानर से सलाह मांगी गई है। प्रभावित लोग लामबंद हो गए हैं। उन्होंने मुल्लांपुर संघर्ष कमेटी का गठन किया है। यहां के प्रमुख नागरिक डॉ. गुरदीप सिंह सोही ने विवेक प्रताप सिंह वस्तुस्थिति से अवगत कराया था।

सोही कहते हैं गमाडा की टीम ने मौजूदा मार्ग के अलावा आसपास के क्षेत्र का भी सर्वे किया था। नई जगह से भी सड़क निकाली जा सकती है। गमाडा को बाईपास बनाना चाहिए। कोर्ट ऑफ इंक्वायरी के बाद पुरानी सड़क के दोनों ओर पैमाइश की गई है। सड़क को 200 फीट चौड़ा करने के लिए सिंगापुर की जुरांग कंपनी ने जो खाका तैयार किया है, उसमें दोनों ओर भारी संख्या में निर्माण दिखाया गया है। सूत्रों के अनुसार ऐसा गलत खसरा नंबर डालने से हुआ है। इसे ठीक करने की कोशिश की जा रही है।

विवाद की जड़

मुल्लांपुर क्षेत्र में सिक्सलेन प्रोजेक्ट के अंतर्गत जयंती की राऊ पुल तक सड़क को दोनों ओर 50—50 फुट चौड़ा किया जाना है। मुल्लांपुर के रिहायशी क्षेत्र में इस सड़क का रुख बदलकर आवासीय क्षेत्र में कर दिया गया है। इसी वजह से 150 दुकानंे और 90 मकान जद में आ गए हैं। लोग कह रहे हैं यह तकनीकी गलती की वजह से हुआ है। इसलिए दोबारा सर्वे कराया जाए।

http://www.bhaskar.com/2010/01/03/100103033834_will_alainment.html

Hoping for a better year.

2009-12-31T08:02:00.000-08:00

GMADA bends

2009-12-30T23:57:00.001-08:00

After several protests from residents against the acquisition of their land for four-laning of the 8-km ChandigarhMullanpur road, where 327 structures were to be demolished to make way for the road, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has relented and now decided to realign the road.

GMADA Chief Administrator Vivek Pratap Singh said, "It is difficult to demolish these structures. We are now planning to realign the road and build bypasses as well. The formalities will be finalised within one month, soon after which the work on the road will start."

The Punjab government had planned to construct a 200 feet wide road from the Chandigarh border to the Kurali-Siswan Tjunction. The Illaqqa Ujjara Roko Committee, Mullanpur, had intensified its protest against the acquisition of their land for four-laning of the ChandigarhMullanpur road. Around 150 acres of land is being acquired in Mullanpur Garibdas, Ferozepur Bungar, Parol, Pharongian, Hoshiarpur, Majra and Sultanpur villages for the widening of this stretch.

The 327 structures which were to be demolished include dwelling units as well as shops.

Farmers of the area claimed that they had already left 80 feet of vacant space along the road for its upgradation.

"Most of us are spending sleepless nights in the fear of losing our livelihood ever since the government issued a notification under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act for the acquisition of land for widening of the road. Where will we go if our houses are razed?" asked Surinder Singh, a resident of Mullanpur Garibdas.

The master plan of the Mullanpur Planning Area, released recently, envisages a state-of-the-art health village, a knowledge village and eco-tourism related activities in the foothills of the Shivaliks under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900.

Mixed land use has been allowed along the Siswan seasonal rivulet and another location along the Mullanpur-Siswan road. A large chunk of land belonging to the Mullanpur gram panchayat along Jayanti Ki Rao is under dispute.

150 दुकानें तथा 90 मकान गिरेंगे

2009-12-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

About 140 shops and 90 houses will be demolished in Mullanpur Village to widen a road150 दुकानें तथा 90 मकान गिरेंगे

Construction/ up gradation of road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Siswan T- junction.

2009-11-01T11:25:00.001-08:00

IMPORTANT FACTS

Important facts regarding, 'Construction/ up gradation of road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Kurali Siswan T- junction'.

There exists an 8 km. road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Kurali Siswan T- junction for the past 40 years which is 22 feet wide throughout except in Mullanpur village where it's width is 33 feet. Kurali Siswan road is also 22 feet wide. The existing Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Kurali Siswan T- junction road is not connected to any national/state highway.

The residents of Mullanpur village while constructing houses/shops on either side of this 33ft road have voluntarily left an 80 feet vacant corridor (40 feet from centre on either side) for future construction/ up gradation of this road. They have not been paid any compensation for this land till date.

The Government now plans to construct/upgrade a 200 feet wide, 8 km road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Kurali Siswan T- junction. Perusal of the alignment plans of this proposed road shows that on entering Mullanpur village this moves first to the right of the existing 80 feet vacant corridor left by the villagers, mowing right into the houses/shops of the residents.

Later it moves to the left of the existing road. Approximately 87 dwelling units and 138 shops will have to be demolished due to this.

The Government has issued a notification u/s 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for acquisition of land for the proposed road. The house owners, shop-keepers, owners of small work-shops, and workers of village Mullanpur Garibdas whose buildings exist on the proposed land for acquisition, are spending sleepless nights, in the fear of losing their livelihoods, and also a shelter to live.

The villagers have repeatedly requested the Government to reconsider this proposal and save them of this misery but in vain. The Government can easily widen the 33 feet existing road in the 80 feet vacant corridor left by the residents or they can build a bypass on the western side of Mullanpur.

Incase this proposal is not reconsidered hundreds of people will be ruined.

What the papers say?

Land acquisition by GMADA sparks protest

Tribune News Service
Mullanpur (Mohali), March 19,2009

With the land rates virtually touching the sky, land acquisition by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority to widen the Mullanpur-Siswan road has sparked protests in the area.

Landowners are protesting against the alignment of the road in Mullanpur. There was enough road width available along the existing road and there was no need to realign the road, said Dr Gurdeep Singh Sohi, a landowner of the area.

Under the acquisition process, proceedings under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act have been issued. The Punjab government has approved the project to four-lane the road in the light of approval of the Mullanpur local planning area master plan. Since the control under the master plan vests with GMADA, the project to four-lane the road has also been entrusted with it.

In the master plan of the Mullanpur Planning Area, released few months back by the Punjab Town and Country Planning Department, state-of-the-art health village, knowledge village and eco-tourism related activities have been planned on the foothills of Shivalik Hills under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900.

The consultants for the project, Jurong Ltd, has proposed recreational facilities like amusement park, spa village, open-air theatres, theme parks and lifestyle hub, including golf course and sports facilities, around the seasonal rivulets passing through the area.

The mixed land use has been allowed along the Siswan seasonal rivulet and another location along the Mullanpur-Siswan road. A large chunk of land of Mullanpur gram panchayat along the Jyanti Ki Rao is under dispute.
No development will be allowed within a distance of 100 metres from the outer boundary of the Mullanpur Indian Air Force Station.

A senior official said in light of the master plan, a fresh alignment for the road was required. Contradicting GMADA’s claim, the residents said by acquiring land as per the new alignment, a number of residential and commercial establishments would have to be demolished.

Land Acquisition

Mullanpur residents intensify stir

Tribune News Service
Mullanpur (Mohali), October 31,2009

Mullanpur residents, led by former Congress minister Jagmohan Kang, stage a dharna on the Chandigarh-Mullapur road against the acquisition of land by GMADA for road widening on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

The Illaqqa Ujjara Roko Committee, Mullanpur, has intensified its protest against the acquisition of their land to four-lane the Chandigarh-Mullanpur road.

Around 150 acre is being acquired in Mullanpur Garib Dass, Ferozepore Bungar, Parol, Pharongian, Hoshiarpur, Majra and Sultanpur for road widening.

Dr Gurdeep Singh Sohi, one of the affected landowners, said residents of Mullanpur village, while constructing houses/shops on either side of this 33-feet road, had voluntarily left an 80-feet vacant corridor for future upgrade of this road.

Now, the government plans to construct a 200-feet wide road from the UT border to Kurali Siswan T-junction. A perusal of the alignment plans of this proposed road shows that around 87 dwelling units and 138 shops would have to be demolished due to the land acquisition.

After the government had issued a notification under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for acquisition of land for the proposed road, the house owners, shopkeepers, owners of small workshops and workers of Mullanpur Garibdas village are spending sleepless nights, in the fear of losing their livelihood and also their shelter to live.

“We have urged the government to reconsider the proposal. The government can widen the 33-feet existing road in the 80-feet vacant corridor left by the residents and build a bypass on the western side of Mullanpur,” said Dr Sohi.

Construction/ up gradation of road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Siswan T- junction.

2009-11-01T11:00:00.001-08:00

This letter was written to The Land Acquisition Collector.

From:

The House/Shop owners of Mullanpur Garibdas

Teh. Kharar

Distt. SAS Nagar.

To:

The Land Acquisition Collector

Urban Development

Punjab

17.03.2009

Sub: Construction/ up gradation of road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Siswan T- junction.

Ref: Govt. of Punjab Department of Housing and Urban Development (Housing 1 Branch) notification no. 6/1/2009 – 1HG1/682 dated 20.02.2009, published in The Tribune, dated 23.02.2009.

This is to sensitize you to the misery of hundreds of house owners, shop-keepers, owners of small work-shops, and workers of village Mullanpur Garibdas, who are spending sleepless nights, in the fear of losing their livelihoods, and also a shelter to live.

There are numerous buildings, comprising houses as well as shops, on both the sides of Mullanpur/ Chandigarh barrier – Siswan T- junction road as it passes through Mullanpur Garibdas. The ownership rights of this road have not been transferred to the govt. The road has been constructed in the land of owners of these Khasra numbers. These owners have left 80 feet wide area for the road (4o ft on either side from the centre of the road) voluntarily. However on the perusal of the plan displayed in the office of the Land Acquisition Collector, Urban Development, Punjab, it has been observed that at places in the market area of Mullanpur, the present 80 feet area left by the land-owners (for the existing road) has been left untouched and a different 60 meter area; away from this existing road, on its eastern side, has been marked for the construction of the proposed road.

This is either a technical error, or a calculated decision with malafide intentions of helping the residents living on the western side of the existing road.

The aforementioned notification seems to have been issued in haste and without the conduction of a proper survey. The govt. has not cared to spare even the Gurdwara, GURDWARA PARAM JOT AAD SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB, falling in the ear-marked area.

Usually whenever an existing road is widened, it is done on both sides of the already existing road. However in this case, the govt. seems to have been following a policy of pick-and-choose.

For us, the land-owners of this area, our land is our only asset. In case the govt. decides to acquire our land by razing the existing buildings, we shall be rendered homeless and with no means of earning our livelihood. It shall also be impossible for us to resettle, keeping in view the present exorbitant costs of land and construction.

Therefore, we solemnly request you to personally visit this area to assess the situation and verify the above mentioned facts, and later, de-notify the Khasra numbers in which buildings already exist.

With full confidence and humble submission,

Yours faithfully,

House/ shop- owners

Vill. Mullanpur Garibdas

Distt. Mohali.

Construction/ up gradation of road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Siswan T- junction.

2009-11-01T10:55:00.001-08:00

This was the letter written to the Chief Minister of Punjab

From:

The Residents of Mullanpur Garibdas

Teh. Kharar

Distt. SAS Nagar.

To:

The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab

Chandigarh

25.02.2009

Sub: Construction/ up gradation of road from Punjab/ UT border (near Mullanpur) to Siswan T- junction.

Ref: Govt. of Punjab Department of Housing and Urban Development (Housing 1 Branch) notification no. 6/1/2009 – 1HG1/682 dated 20.02.2009, published in The Tribune, dated 23.02.2009.

Sir

Please refer to abovementioned notification.

On going through the list of Khasra numbers published in the notification, we would like to bring to your kind attention that hundreds of shops/ houses are located in these Khasra numbers. In case the govt. acquires land in these Khasra numbers, these shops/ houses will have to be demolished.

If such be the case, the traders who are running their businesses in these shops will lose their only source of livelihood. Also, many families residing in the area will be rendered homeless.

It will be impossible for these owners to reconstruct and re-settle their properties, again in view of the present exorbitant cost of land and construction.

It is therefore prayed that this issue kindly be reconsidered, in light of the aforementioned facts, and this road from Punjab/ UT border to Siswan T- junction be constructed/ up-graded in a manner that the shops/ houses existing in this area are not demolished.

The present notification may kindly be cancelled.

With full confidence, and humble submission, Sir,

Yours faithfully

UT/Punjab border(near Mullanpur) Kurali Siswan T Junction Road

2009-11-01T10:48:00.001-08:00

Land Acquisition
Mullanpur residents intensify stir
Tribune News Service
Mullanpur (Mohali), October 31
The Illaqqa Ujjara Roko Committee, Mullanpur, has intensified its protest against the acquisition of their land to four-lane the Chandigarh-Mullanpur road.
Around 150 acre is being acquired in Mullanpur Garib Dass, Ferozepore Bungar, Parol, Pharongian, Hoshiarpur, Majra and Sultanpur for road widening.
Dr Gurdeep Singh Sohi, one of the affected landowners, said residents of Mullanpur village, while constructing houses/shops on either side of this 33-feet road, had voluntarily left an 80-feet vacant corridor for future upgrade of this road.
Now, the government plans to construct a 200-feet wide road from the UT border to Kurali Siswan T-junction. A perusal of the alignment plans of this proposed road shows that around 87 dwelling units and 138 shops would have to be demolished due to the land acquisition.
After the government had issued a notification under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for acquisition of land for the proposed road, the house owners, shopkeepers, owners of small workshops and workers of Mullanpur Garibdas village are spending sleepless nights, in the fear of losing their livelihood and also their shelter to live.
"We have urged the government to reconsider the proposal. The government can widen the 33-feet existing road in the 80-feet vacant corridor left by the residents and build a bypass on the western side of Mullanpur," said Dr Sohi.

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