A growing urban planning dispute in Ludhiana has put the spotlight on how cities balance development with public welfare. Civic bodies and residents have challenged a proposal to convert land reserved for a primary school into residential housing, calling it a violation of planning laws and children’s education rights.
The land in question spans 1.05 acres in Rajguru Nagar. Official records show it was reserved for a government primary school under a Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) development scheme approved more than three decades ago. The site remains vacant to date, but its original designation has not been altered through any formal master plan amendment.
Civic Groups File Objections Over Land Conversion#
The issue escalated after the Council of Engineers (COE) and the Public Action Committee (PAC) submitted written objections to the Punjab Local Bodies Department and the chairman of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust.
According to media reports and journalists covering civic affairs, the groups argued that education-reserved land cannot be repurposed without following statutory procedures under the Ludhiana Master Plan. They warned that such conversions weaken public trust in urban governance.
Kapil Arora, a COE member, said the land was specifically marked for school use in the 1991–92 Rajguru Nagar planning scheme. In interviews with regional media outlets, he said authorities cannot discard social infrastructure simply because implementation was delayed.
Right to Education Takes Centre Stage#
The PAC has framed the controversy as a constitutional issue. Its representative Kuldeep Khaira cited Article 21A, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen.
Khaira told local journalists that the locality lacks adequate government schools. Many children, he said, already travel long distances daily. “Removing a planned school site only worsens inequality,” he said.
Education activists interviewed by Punjab-based media platforms argue that school reservations exist precisely to prevent such shortages in expanding residential zones. They stress that once such land is lost, it is rarely recovered.
LIT Defends Proposal Amid Criticism#
The Ludhiana Improvement Trust has defended its move, stating that the land has remained unused for years. Officials told journalists that the proposal aims to make better use of available assets while responding to housing demand.
Critics remain unconvinced. They argue that administrative delay cannot justify abandoning public-purpose land. They also raised concerns over limited public consultation and short objection timelines.
Wider Urban Planning Concerns in Punjab#
Urban planning experts say the dispute reflects a larger trend across Punjab, where public land reservations are increasingly under pressure. Media reports on Ludhiana’s civic issues have previously documented opposition to commercial and residential rezoning in established neighbourhoods.
Legal experts cited in policy-focused media discussions point to Supreme Court rulings that stress strict compliance with approved master plans and public-use reservations. Courts have repeatedly held that such land cannot be diverted without due process and compelling public interest.
Legal Action and Public Mobilisation Ahead#
Both the COE and PAC have indicated they may approach the courts if the proposal is approved. They argue that education land conversion sets a risky precedent for future planning decisions.
Residents of Rajguru Nagar have begun organising meetings and awareness campaigns. Many told local reporters they will intensify protests if authorities proceed. As objections mount, the case has emerged as a key test of Ludhiana’s urban priorities development at speed, or development with long-term public benefit.
Clear Cut Child Protection, Education Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Feb 09, 2026 09:00 IST
Written By: Ayushman Meena
