NGT directs Punjab govt to look into plea for restitution of public park in Ludhiana

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said that as per its February 2014 order, the tiling or concretisation of pavements should not exceed five percent, and footpath and tracks should be constructed only with permeable and semipermeable, perforated blocks.

Observing that parks are the lungs of the society, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Punjab government to look into a plea against concretisation of green area of a public park situated at Kidwai Nagar in Ludhiana.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by the Council of Engineers seeking restitution of the green area of Mini Rose Garden situated at Kidwai Nagar, near Industrial Area- A, Ludhiana. (HT PHOTO)

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said that as per its February 2014 order, the tiling or concretisation of pavements should not exceed five percent, and footpath and tracks should be constructed only with permeable and semipermeable, perforated blocks.

“There is no doubt that parks being the lungs of the city need to be maintained following the best practices, in accordance with the observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and this Tribunal, referred to above. There is, however, no presumption that the law on the point will not be followed. It is not a case that the Tribunal needs to determine any question. Only issue is the compliance of well-established norms by the state authorities. Accordingly, the secretary, urban development, Government of Punjab and the commissioner, municipal corporation, Ludhiana, may look into the matter and take remedial measures as are found necessary, following due process of law,” the bench said.

“Despite knowing the facts that park size is not big as compared to number of surrounding residents of densely populated localities (which is in core area of Ludhiana), situated very close to Industrial Area of Ludhiana, Ludhiana Smart City Ltd is going to commercialise and concretise the park by constructing buildings for indoor badminton court building, cafeteria, water fountains, concrete paths and parking with solid interlocking tiles in contrary to judgments as held by Supreme Court,” the plea said.

The petitioners further stated, “Due to concretisation of parks and green belts, the rain water does not seep through preventing recharge of ground water. The concretisation causes an increase in temperature of the environment as it absorbs heat and cools down very slowly as compared to open earth surface and green areas.”