The residents of Pabhat village failed to get relief from the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, which categorically told the residents on Tuesday that the 98 structures falling within the 100-metre radius of the Chandigarh International Airport, which were ordered to be demolished, were constructed after a notification banning the same.
The High Court bench of Justices RS Jha & Arun Palli was hearing pleas by the building owners whose houses were ordered to be demolished by HC in Aug 2019. “You say Punjab Govt is not helping you. .. but even then demolition is not being carried out by them. If Govt is not with you, some supernatural power is (and saving from demolition),” the bench observed adding that despite the four months’ time given in Aug 2019, Punjab has only been able to demolish twelve structures so far.
These structures came up after March 2011, when the construction in the 100-metre periphery was banned through a notification. The notification was issued under the Works of Defence Act, 1903, asking residents not to carry out fresh construction in the 100-metre area. These structures were identified by a committee headed by Punjab chief secretary & constituted on the directions of the HC. The Air Force had termed the illegal mushrooming of such structures a threat to the airport, which prompted the court to direct demolition. In the plea, the building owners were demanding a stay on demolition arguing that they were not aware of the notification.
The Court observed that it was a matter of national security & that it can’t set aside its own order, & the remedy lies with the Apex Court.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Govt & Zirakpur municipal council again resorted to a blame-game over providing security to staff members who had to carry out the demolition. While the MC’s lawyer said that security was not provided, which resulted in delay of implementation of the High Court order, the Punjab Govt. lawyer said that there was no reason for not providing security.
The Punjab Govt lawyer said that “All illegal structures will be demolished. Buildings are inter-connected. We need some time to demolish them. But we will demolish all the buildings".
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