Ludhiana: A high-stakes tug of war has broken out on the banks of the Buddha Dariya in Basant Nagar, near Shivpuri, as allegations of illegal construction on the drain’s path sparked a political firestorm. While the municipal corporation (MC) initially halted the work on Tuesday, its subsequent resumption drew sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with senior leaders reaching the spot to physically intervene and stall the project.BJP leader Parveen Bansal and SAD leader RD Sharma arrived at the scene near the Shivpuri fish market, pointing an accusing finger at the local MLA and councillor for allegedly facilitating encroachment on government land. The leaders highlighted a stark contradiction: while the government recently vacated land in the same vicinity citing illegal occupation, shops are now being constructed just a short distance away on Buddha Dariya’s territory. Bansal reported that area residents alerted him to an RCC wall being built in a “zig-zag pattern” along the side of the drain. He alleged that the construction’s primary purpose is to narrow the waterbody to carve out plots for encroachers, a move that would exacerbate flooding during the monsoon and cause significant distress to local neighborhoods.Echoing these concerns, former deputy mayor RD Sharma questioned the silence of MC officials regarding the violation. He noted that despite the work being stopped on Tuesday evening, it resumed shortly after without official pushback. Sharma also criticised the waste of public funds, pointing out that the hefty investment previously made in chain-link fencing and a walkway alongside the drain has been rendered useless as both are now in a state of decay.Residents of the area expressed further frustration, claiming that the MC has demolished illegal structures at this specific site four times in the past. They voiced disbelief at the current talks of “registering” these encroachments and allowing the construction of shops. For their part, MC officials have denied any complicity, stating that they have received the formal complaint and are currently cross-referencing records with the revenue department to determine the land’s legal status.
