The Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised real estate developments, demolishing five illegally developed colonies in different parts of the district as part of a major enforcement drive.
The District Town Planner (Regulatory) Wing carried out demolition action against five unauthorised colonies being developed in Ball Kalan village, Pandori Waraich on Majitha Road, and Ball Khurd village on the Amritsar-Fatehgarh Churian Road.
According to officials, the colonies had been developed without obtaining the mandatory approvals required under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995. Notices were served on the developers and construction activities were ordered to be stopped. However, despite repeated warnings, development work allegedly continued at the sites, prompting the authority to initiate demolition proceedings.
The District Town Planner said the demolition action was approved on June 9 as part of ongoing efforts to regulate urban growth and curb unauthorised development. He alleged that the colonisers ignored official notices and continued construction instead of providing the required clarifications to the department.
Officials further stated that one unauthorised colony in Ball Khurd had previously been served multiple notices and construction work had been halted several times. Despite these measures, development activity reportedly continued. Although demolition had been ordered earlier, the operation could not be carried out due to a large public gathering and the non-availability of adequate police personnel. The authority later returned to the site and completed the demolition exercise.
The ADA also warned that under the amended provisions of the PAPRA Act, 1995 (2024 amendment), individuals involved in developing unauthorised colonies can face imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and fines between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 5 crore. The authority said it is writing to the police department, based on revenue records, seeking legal action against landowners and developers involved in such projects.
Issuing a public advisory, the Regulatory Wing urged residents not to purchase plots in colonies that have not been approved by the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) or the competent authority. Prospective buyers have been advised to verify approval documents and check the list of unauthorised colonies available on the ADA website before investing in any property.
The authority also appealed to the public to obtain all necessary permissions from the department concerned before undertaking any construction activity, warning that violations could result in strict legal and demolition action.
