Chandigarh, June 11 — Acting on the directives of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and to safeguard the Sukhna Catchment Area, local authorities carried out a major demolition drive on Tuesday in the outskirts of village Kaimbwala.
The operation was initiated on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav and executed with the assistance of two poclain machines, a JCB, and a sizable police force, including lady constables. The demolition was conducted under the close supervision of the SDM, Central.
According to officials, the team cleared nearly 20 unauthorised commercial shops and showrooms, nine tin sheds, two khokhas, and one boundary wall during the day-long drive. “The operation was carried out peacefully and in full accordance with legal orders,” said the Deputy Commissioner.
The action stems from a standing order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that strictly bars any construction within the ecologically sensitive Sukhna Catchment Area. The court’s mandate is part of efforts to restore Sukhna Lake, which has faced environmental degradation due to encroachments and unregulated building activity.
The high court has instructed that no housing colonies or construction be permitted in the catchment area, and has authorised enforcement agencies to stop any ongoing activity and demolish illegal structures without the requirement of advance notice.
The Supreme Court of India has also upheld this position, clearly stating that any construction carried out after May 21, 2012, within the protected zone, is a violation subject to immediate punitive action.
“This notice serves as a strong reminder that any encroachments or non-permitted developments in this region will not be tolerated,” an official noted, urging citizens and builders to comply with the legal framework to protect the lake and its surrounding environment.
