After nearly a decade of relentless legal and administrative efforts, residents of Sahyog Society in the Besa-Pipla area have successfully regained possession of a 2,665-square-metre Public Utility (PU) land, ending a prolonged dispute with a developer.
The land, originally earmarked for public use, was allegedly claimed by the developer after changes were made to the layout plan. Residents challenged the move, maintaining that the plot was reserved for community purposes and should remain accessible to the public.
The matter reached the High Court, which ruled that the alteration in the layout plan was illegal. However, despite the court’s directions, the residents alleged that no concrete action followed. They later approached Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, whose intervention helped revive the process.
Acting on the matter, the District Collector directed the Chief Officer of the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat to remove the encroachment from the disputed land. Following an inquiry conducted by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), the findings supported the residents’ claims.
On Thursday, officials from the Nagar Panchayat visited the site, removed the lock installed on the compound gate by the developer and handed over the keys of a new lock to representatives of the local residents. The demolition of the compound wall is expected to be carried out within the next few days.
The dispute dates back to 2015, when residents first noticed discrepancies between two layout plans. According to them, the original layout approved in 2001 clearly marked the 2,665 sq m plot in Meshram Layout on Beltarodi Road as Public Utility land. However, a revised layout prepared in 2006 allegedly showed the land differently, paving the way for a private claim over the plot.
After unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue through the then Gram Panchayat, residents initiated a legal battle and gathered official layout records to strengthen their case.
With the land now restored, residents hope the administration will develop the site into a public garden or green space, providing the locality with a much-needed recreational area.
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