The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) recently took strong action against unauthorised construction in the city. Three shops in Nirankari Mohalla and a building in Narinder Nagar were sealed, while an under-construction commercial property near Mohar Singh Nagar was demolished for illegal conversion from residential to commercial use. Officials highlighted that construction without approved building plans is strictly prohibited. This move reinforces ongoing regulatory enforcement and serves as a reminder for property owners to comply with civic regulations before starting any construction work.Read more

Earlier this week, plans for a sweeping road-revamp in Ludhiana were discussed at length, with the state minister overseeing the proposals. The designs for multiple key stretches are to be expedited by consultant agencies, covering link roads, entry points, junctions, and pedestrian amenities. The project aims to enhance commuter safety, parking, landscaping, and the flow of traffic across the city. Local officials and stakeholders expressed optimism that in the coming months residents will see noticeable improvements across urban thoroughfares.Read more

The Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana has demolished an unauthorised colony in Mundian Kalan on the orders of Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal. The Zone B building branch led the drive, dismantling structures built without approvals and targeting the developer responsible. This action is part of a wider crackdown on illegal construction, with four unauthorised buildings in Model Town and Kochar Market also razed last week. Officials stressed that residents must secure sanctioned building plans before starting projects. By dismantling unapproved colonies and warning violators, the civic body aims to uphold urban planning norms, curb unregulated development, and ensure stricter compliance across Ludhiana.Read more

Ludhiana's one-time settlement scheme for property tax defaulters has been extended until mid-August, allowing payments of outstanding dues without penalty or interest. Initially launched in May, the scheme received a lukewarm response but saw a spike in participation closer to the original deadline. The extension follows increasing public footfall and growing collections, which have reached around INR 15 crore so far. The total property tax collection for the current fiscal has touched nearly INR 40 crore. Suvidha Kendras have been operating on weekends to handle the rising number of taxpayers.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has initiated the revival of a long-stalled development project through a land pooling strategy aimed at resolving compensation-related disputes. Located near Chandigarh Road, the project had been inactive for nearly two decades due to land acquisition hurdles. The scheme, recently approved by the state government, seeks to balance landowner and authority interests by offering a portion of developed land in return for voluntarily pooled plots. The move is expected to unlock significant development potential in the region.Read more

Ludhiana has launched a long-delayed construction and demolition (C&D) waste-processing plant in Dhandhari, with a capacity to handle 100 tonnes of debris daily. Originally budgeted at INR 2.69 crore, the cost swelled to INR 7.3 crore due to foundational work on a former dumpsite, with an additional INR 2.2 crore spent on machinery. This facility, funded under Swachh Bharat and Smart City missions, converts debris into tiles, bricks, and blocks. Despite past struggles with underutilised civic projects, officials hope the plant will curb illegal dumping and ease landfill pressure provided residents and contractors comply.Read more

Ludhiana's DDPO has annulled leases for 70 shops in a prime area near Ladhowal bypass after an internal audit found forged procedures, negligible rent and lack of approvals. Agreements were executed without technical, administrative or market-rate evaluations, committing INR 1,100 per month in perpetuity-far below market value. The DDPO has served eviction notices and launched legal proceedings against two implicated officials. A transparent re-allotment process is on the cards, while deeper probes aim to uncover if more staff were involved in the scheme.Read more

Ludhiana's project to assign Unique Identification (UID) number plates to households faces new challenges, leading to a third relaunch. The initiative, aimed at digitizing property records, stalled as the contractor refused drone surveys due to cost disputes, prompting the Municipal Corporation (MC) to scrap the contract. This follows two previous failures. The current World Bank-supported project, initially budgeted at INR 5.75 crore, will now require new tenders. Concerns about the contractor's repeated involvement have been raised, highlighting ongoing struggles with project execution and accountability in implementing the long-delayed UID system.Read more

Ludhiana is set to inaugurate several new civic body projects, including an innovative construction and demolition (C&D) waste plant. The plant, located in Dhandhari, will process at least 100 tons of waste daily to produce tiles, costing INR 7.30 crore for its tender. Other upcoming facilities include an all-weather swimming pool near Rakh Bagh (INR 5.82 crore) and a basketball court at Guru Nanak Stadium (INR 14.38 crore). These projects aim to enhance urban infrastructure and environmental management, addressing long-standing needs for waste processing and sports facilities in the city.Read more

Vardhman Amrante Pvt Ltd, the real estate arm of the Oswal Group, has committed an investment of INR 260 crore to develop a 200-key five-star hotel in Ludhiana, Punjab. The project will be operated under the 'Westin Hotels & Resorts' brand by Marriott International. The hotel will form part of a seven-acre commercial complex spanning 17 lakh sq ft, with construction expected to begin in the coming year and the hotel slated to open in the final quarter of 2030. This initiative marks a key milestone in the company's continued expansion in Punjab's real estate market.Read more

Environmental activists in Ludhiana have issued a legal notice to municipal authorities for allegedly allowing illegal construction on protected greenbelt areas, violating Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives. The Public Action Committee (PAC) has given officials a three-week deadline to reverse the encroachments or face legal escalation before the NGT. Activists accuse agencies like the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, Improvement Trust, and GLADA of collusion in facilitating these violations, including building extensions on parkland. They demand restoration of affected areas and strict adherence to environmental laws. The case highlights growing tensions between urban development and ecological protection, potentially setting a precedent for other cities.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) is seeking to revive its role in the city's development after most of its residential colonies were transferred to the municipal corporation. With limited ongoing projects-only the Atal Apartment scheme-LIT now plans a new residential-cum-commercial project using a land pooling model. Landowners within or near municipal limits are invited to contribute land in exchange for developed plots. The initiative, previously attempted under an earlier chairman, is being revived under current chairman Tarsem Bhinder, focusing on areas near Sidhwan Canal and Lohara. The plan aims to reestablish LIT's relevance by promoting planned, participatory urban growth in Ludhiana.Read more

The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has escalated its efforts to recover outstanding property tax dues from government departments. Notices have been issued to various departments, including the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), Public Works Department, and Punjab Agricultural University, for properties where commercial activities are conducted without tax payments. MC officials are also displaying photographs of defaulting properties to encourage compliance. Last year, the MC successfully met its tax collection targets and aims to exceed them this year. If departments fail to settle their dues, the MC plans to inspect properties, calculate the tax owed, and take enforcement actions, including sealing buildings if necessary.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has launched two one-time settlement schemes aimed at easing the financial burden on property owners. These policies offer significant discounts on non-construction fees and provide an opportunity for allottees with pending dues to regularize their properties. Eligible individuals, such as senior citizens and legal heirs of deceased soldiers, are entitled to additional benefits. Property owners must submit their applications by July 31 to take advantage of these schemes, which aim to enhance urban development and compliance in Ludhiana.Read more

Nexus Select Trust recently announced it has successfully acquired a commercial complex in Ludhiana that included a 96-key Radisson Hotel and a shopping mall. The transaction, valued at an enterprise amount of INR 531 crore, includes a purchase consideration of INR 490 crore, associated stamp duty of INR 10 crore, and provisions for capital expenditure, such as hotel renovations and mall upgrades. The MBD Complex, a Grade-A urban consumption centre, spans approximately 0.3 million square feet with a current occupancy rate of 95 per cent. Nexus Select Trust, India's first publicly listed retail REIT, continues to expand its diversified portfolio, which now includes 19 shopping malls, three hotel assets, and three office assets.Read more

Ludhiana is on the verge of launching a much-anticipated construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing plant in the Dhandhari area. Originally estimated at INR 2.69 crore, the project's cost escalated to INR 7.5 crore due to unforeseen challenges, including the site's history as a former dumpsite. Despite these setbacks, the plant is now nearly complete, with civil construction and machinery installation finished. Once operational, it aims to process 100 tonnes of C&D waste daily, addressing the city's ongoing waste management issues.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has been awaiting approval from the local bodies department for its proposed residential and commercial development near Lohara and Jaspal Banger. The plan, initiated in 2023, involves acquiring at least 100 acres to establish a mixed-use township featuring residential units, hotels, restaurants, and theatres. Despite completing internal planning and submitting a resolution, LIT has yet to receive a response. Additionally, LIT has proposed transferring maintenance responsibilities of existing areas to the Municipal Corporation due to limited resources, leaving the Atal Apartments project as its primary focus.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) is awaiting the final notification from the Punjab government to begin offering a rebate on non-construction fees (NCF) for plot allottees. While the state cabinet has approved a discount on these dues, the process cannot begin until the official notification is received. Plot holders who delay construction face NCF charges, and many allottees remain unaware of these regulations, leading to an estimated INR 30 crore in unpaid dues. LIT is also dealing with issues related to property sales where new owners fail to register.Read more

The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation intensified its action against illegal constructions by demolishing six structures and clearing eight encroachments in different areas of the city. Additionally, officials sealed five unauthorized shops in Pritam Nagar, Barewal Road, and 200 Feet Road. Industrial buildings and a labor quarter under construction were also razed, along with multiple encroachments near Krishna Mandir and Amardas Colony. This crackdown follows a series of past actions, including demolitions in Star Road, Tajpur Road, and Lohara, highlighting the MC's continued efforts to curb unauthorized development. However, the drive faced resistance from shopkeepers in Model Town Extension, who accused authorities of selective action.Read more