Illegal constructions around Sri Harmandir Sahib: High Court directs Amritsar DC to disconnect power and water supplies within 24 hours

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Taking serious note of the unauthorized construction of commercial establishments going on around the Sri Harmandir Sahib’s corridor on July 22, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Amritsar DC to disconnect water and electricity supply to these commercial establishments, including hotels, in and around the Sri Darbar Sahib’s corridor. Notably, the issue was raked up before the High Court by Sarabjit Singh Verka through counsel RS Bains, who informed the Court that there were 352 unauthorized buildings around Sri Harmandir Sahib corridor.

“This court has taken serious view of the manner in which unauthorized construction is going on in and around the Sri Harmandir Sahib corridor. The state and statutory authorities, instead of taking harsh decisions, have come out with the Amritsar Walled City (Recognition of Usage) Act, 2016 to nullify the orders passed by this court from time to time,” the Bench headed by Justice Rajiv Sharma asserted.

It is learnt that the High Court has given 24-hour deadline for disconnecting the water and electricity supply to these unauthorized buildings and has held the Punjab Principal Secretary and Department of Local Bodies responsible for compliance of the directions.

Justice Sharma asserted that the land around the Golden Temple was acquired in 1988 for beautification. But unscrupulous elements raised construction in total defiance of the law. The Punjab Assembly then passed the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995.

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