A court has ordered a halt to construction of a pumping station in Shyamlok Colony, Haridwar, where work was underway as part of preparations for the Haridwar Kumbh. Residents and office-bearers of the Shyamlok Resident Welfare Association filed the case challenging the construction.
The project is described in the report as costing 149.53 lakh. However, a separate bullet in the same report mentions 149.53 thousand, creating a conflicting figure. The report does not provide a clarification on the discrepancy.
An overhead water tank has already been built in one of the colony’s parks. Construction of a tube well and a room for an operator has now been stopped following the court’s order.
Residents’ challenge
The petitioners allege that the park was used for construction without obtaining the required permission or completing an acquisition process. They say residents had already paid for park facilities when plots were developed in the colony.
According to the case details, the colony was plotted by the Housing Development Authority under the Uttar Pradesh government in 1999. Buyers paid a combined ₹3 lakh 60 thousand for the 3 parks, along with an additional 5%, described as approximately ₹15 thousand, according to the petitioners’ claim.
Prabhat Kumar, identified as the plaintiff, said houses have been built on 84 plots in the colony. He said 3 parks had been reserved for the residents and alleged that the fairground administration took control of one without acquisition.
The allegations have not been established by a final court judgment. The report also does not specify the court’s name or provide the text of its order.
Allegations against officials
Kumar alleged that Sonika, the vice-president of the authority and also the fair officer, allowed the construction to begin without permission or acquisition. The report presents this as the petitioner’s allegation, not as a proven finding.
Residents say the dispute affects the availability and use of park space in the colony. The construction issue also involves the proposed operation of the water infrastructure, since the tube well and operator’s room were planned at the same location.
Kumar warned that the petitioners would consider filing a contempt petition in the High Court if the fairground administration continued with what he called an arbitrary approach. No such petition is reported as having been filed so far.
Conclusion
The court-ordered pause leaves the pumping station construction in Shyamlok Colony on hold while the residents’ challenge over park use, permission and acquisition remains unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What construction has been stopped?
The court has halted work on a pumping station in Shyamlok Colony, including the tube well and operator’s room.
Q. What part of the project has been completed?
An overhead water tank has already been constructed in the colony’s park.
Q. Why did residents approach the court?
Residents and the Shyamlok Resident Welfare Association challenged construction in a park, alleging it began without permission or acquisition.
Q. How many plots have houses in the colony?
Prabhat Kumar said houses have been built on 84 plots.
Q. How many parks were reserved for the colony?
The petitioners said 3 parks were reserved for residents.
Q. Who is Sonika in this matter?
The report identifies Sonika as the authority’s vice-president and the fair officer. A petitioner has alleged that she allowed construction without permission or acquisition.
