The Indian Express  02.08.2012

HC bans illegal constructions in Zirakpur

The Municipal Corporation is in the process of serving notices for
illegal structures that are blocking access to main water and sewerage
pipelines. 100 notices have already been served in Maloya.

The unchecked growth of encroachments and unregulated
construction in colonies has made the water and sewerage pipes very
difficult to reach for the staff of the Municipal Corporation in case
repairs need to be carried out. The water and sewerage pipelines are
laid underground, and over the years the residents of the colonies have
encroached upon the land under which the pipes were laid.

Superintending Engineer (Public Health) R C Diwan says that while
100 notices have been sent, a few thousand more will be sent over the
next few weeks.

The Municipal Corporation woke up to the problem of these
constructions on pipelines after a recent outbreak of diarrhoea in Mauli
Jagran, where the supply of dirty water was found to be the reason for
the disease. Recently, when residents of Maloya complained of dirty
water being supplied to them and the civic body went to conduct checks
in the area, it found that the pipelines there were inaccessible.

In many places, instead of the one-room tenament for which space
had been allotted, residents have constructed triple storey houses.
Apart from putting pressure on the existing infrastructure, the
constructions block access as they have been built just above the space
where the pipelines had been laid. Officials of the Municipal
Corporation have not been able to access the pipelines to conduct
repairs. They say that in case repairs must be done, the houses of the
residents will have to be dug up. The Estate Office allegedly turned a
blind eye to the encroachments that took place over the years, it is
posing numerous problems now.

Councillor Subhash Chawla said that there have been instances when
blocked pipelines had to be cleared in his ward. However, the residents
did not agree to their house being dug up for cleaning the pipelines. He
added that residents encroach on government land and then demand money
in case the area has to be dug up to avoid damage.

In Mauli Jagran, when the staff of the Municipal Corporation made
attempts to remove the handpumps installed on the water pipelines,
residents gathered and did not allow work to be undertaken.