📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Jagchabhal
Crime
Jalandhar bans misuse of vacant buildings, plots to curb drug abuse
✍️ Amar Ujala · Jalandhar
🗓 15 Oct 2026, 04:35 PM
👁 12
The Jalandhar municipal authorities have issued an order prohibiting the use of vacant buildings, deserted sites and empty plots for drug-related activities, aiming to stem rising substance abuse.
The Jalandhar municipal corporation announced a new regulation that bars the occupation of vacant structures, abandoned areas and unoccupied plots for any activity linked to illicit drug consumption or trafficking. The directive, issued on Monday, cites a sharp increase in drug-related incidents in the city over the past year and targets the common practice of using derelict spaces as informal drug dens.
Officials said the order will empower local police and civic officers to seal off such locations, issue fines and, where necessary, initiate legal action against property owners who permit illegal use. The municipal council will also coordinate with the Punjab State Police to conduct regular inspections and community awareness drives.
The move has been welcomed by local NGOs working on addiction prevention, who argue that restricting easy access to hidden spots can reduce the visibility and appeal of drug use among youth. The authorities have pledged to monitor the impact of the ban and review its effectiveness after a three‑month period.
No specific timeline for the removal of existing drug paraphernalia has been announced, but the council has urged residents to report suspicious activity in vacant premises to the helpline set up by the city administration.
Officials said the order will empower local police and civic officers to seal off such locations, issue fines and, where necessary, initiate legal action against property owners who permit illegal use. The municipal council will also coordinate with the Punjab State Police to conduct regular inspections and community awareness drives.
The move has been welcomed by local NGOs working on addiction prevention, who argue that restricting easy access to hidden spots can reduce the visibility and appeal of drug use among youth. The authorities have pledged to monitor the impact of the ban and review its effectiveness after a three‑month period.
No specific timeline for the removal of existing drug paraphernalia has been announced, but the council has urged residents to report suspicious activity in vacant premises to the helpline set up by the city administration.