Punjab and Haryana High Court issues notice over construction near river affecting 15 villages

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken cognizance of the issue regarding the sale and construction on catchment land, which is prone to flooding, impacting the lives of residents in 15 villages. The court has issued notices to the Punjab government, the District Collector, and other relevant authorities, directing them to submit their responses.

Bakhshish Singh, a resident of Randheerpur in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, has filed a petition through Advocate Vivek Salathia, urging the court to intervene and protect the lives of people in the affected villages. The petition highlights that 45 kanals and 4 marlas of land near Dingga Bridge were recorded as non-agricultural land in the revenue records.
The petition raises concerns over the sale of this land to influential and politically connected individuals. Despite this being a catchment area through which the Kali Bein river flows, directing water during floods or heavy rainfall, significant construction activities are ongoing, posing a direct threat to the 15 adjacent villages.

The petitioner has appealed to the High Court to halt the ongoing construction at the site and to identify and take action against the responsible officials involved in the land sale and construction. After considering the arguments presented by the petitioner’s counsel, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government and other respondents to submit their replies.