GMADA allowed the Managing Director (MD) of Housefed to begin construction on almost 11 acres of land after receiving formal order to this effect from Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is also GMADA Chairman, GMADA Chief Administrator (CA) Vivek Partap Singh told Newsline .

The permission, which was awaited since the allotment of two chunks — 5.5 acres and 5.49 acres— for housing project to Housefed in 2003, was granted on the condition of self-arrangement for sewerage disposal.

Singh said, according to the condition, Housefed would construct an underground sump to discharge sewerage in compliance with the pollution control and environment protection guidelines and would dismantle the same as and when GMADA connects the flats with an underground sewerage line.

The sewerage connection to the Housefed site was not feasible so far as the area required for the purpose was a disputed territory.

Taking note of the plight of 632 allottees, who paid Rs 40 crore to Housefed in 2004, Badal had asked GMADA to find some way out and allow construction on the site. Accordingly, Estate Officer, GMADA, allowed construction according to the approved plans except in an area of 3 kanal 2 marla under litigation in the pocket of 5.5 acres.

GMADA told Housefed that as the area under litigation was spread across roads connecting the project site, the connectivity of public health services and civil works could not be given to the pocket of 5.5 acres.

Earlier, GMADA had sought duly sworn undertaking from Housefed with a declaration to the effect that it would construct flats at its own risk, cost and condition that in case of any future litigation arising out of non-provision of public health services and civil works and any competent court awarding any compensation/damages, the whole responsibility in that case would be that of Housefed.

However, Housefed MD V K Bansal had refused to give any such undertaking and had instead asked GMADA to find any alternate route for connecting the sewerage line to the project or allow underground sump for disposal of sewage waste.

“We are ready with the DINT, designs and plans of the project and will begin construction on receipt of permission,” he said.

Housefed Flats Sangharsh Committee, which had been spearheading the crusade against the delay, has hailed the development. “We now hope our dreams will come true though after a long time,” said Suresh Kumar, an allottee.