Unsettling Clash Erupts at Savitri Greens-2 Society
A peaceful protest at Savitri Greens-2 housing society in Zirakpur turned into violent chaos Sunday when accusations over sewage infrastructure turned physical. Disturbing videos circulating on social media show residents and the builder's team shoving each other before multiple people fell into a four-foot-deep sewage pit.
Roots of the Sewage Pipeline Dispute
This confrontation comes from a months-long battle over unauthorised infrastructure work:
- Builder allegedly tried to connect the neighbouring society's sewage system to Savitri Greens-2
- Municipal Council Zirakpur halted the pipeline project but left the excavation pit open
- The open pit blocked daily movement near the Gazipur Road
- Residents hired a JCB machine to fill the pit on Sunday morning, sparking the clash
Residents claim they were staging a lawful sit-in when Yadvinder Sharma and Dharminder Sharma, brothers of former MLA and society owner N.K. Sharma started the violence. Several women reportedly faced abuse and physical manhandling during the incident.
Competing Allegations Surface
Both parties have filed police complaints at the Zirakpur police station:
- Residents allege: Builder's associates assaulted peaceful protesters, pushed women into a muddy pit, and obstructed movement
- Builder counters: Residents instigated violence by damaging property during excavation work
"We arrived immediately after receiving information," confirmed ASI Parmpreet Singh, adding that police are collecting evidence from viral video footage before taking further action.
Pattern of Infrastructure Failures
This incident follows documented maintenance issues at the property. Search records reveal previous complaints, including:
- September 2024 fire incident due to non-functional safety equipment
- May 2024 two-day power outage affecting the water supply
- Arbitrary electricity charges and unreliable lift services
- Frequently encounter maintenance-related issues
Political Dimensions Complicate Resolution
The builder's political connections intensify community frustration. N.K. Sharma—former Planning Board Chairman of Mohali and SAD candidate—owns the society through entities linked to his political network. Residents cite his "active connivance" in what they describe as systemic neglect, invoking his "political philosophy and influence" as barriers to resolution.
Industry-Wide Implications
This Zirakpur confrontation mirrors growing tensions across Punjab's real estate sector, where:
- 68% of housing societies report infrastructure disputes post-possession (2024 Punjab Housing Survey)
- Municipal enforcement gaps allow unapproved utility modifications
- Power dynamics favour politically connected developers
Legal experts note such conflicts often escalate because residents lack unified grievance mechanisms. The Punjab State Consumer Commission has seen a 42% year-on-year increase in builder-related complaints, yet resolution timelines average 14 months.
Path Forward
With a police investigation underway, residents demand immediate pit closure and an infrastructure audit. Municipal authorities face pressure to enforce stricter compliance checks during construction phases. Meanwhile, this incident serves as a stark reminder that property handovers shouldn't mark the end of developer responsibilities, especially when public safety gets buried in political sewage pits.