Sukhbir lays thrust on urban development

Haphazard planning, construction of illegal colonies and violation of norms were among major hurdles in proper implementation of urban development policies, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said.

Presiding over a meeting of the Housing and Urban Development Department here, he said to check illegal activities, the state government had decided to delegate enforcement and punitive powers to the Town and Country Planning Department.

"This will help streamline development in urban areas," he said.

Orders had been issued to segregate residential and commercial areas, strictly enforce change of land use norms, encourage construction as per norms and streamline the process of sanctioning building plans, Badal said.

The Deputy Chief Minister sanctioned 190 posts for the department, and said the recruitment process would be completed with three months.

Badal ordered a statewide survey of illegal colonies.