He added that the occupants would be made owners on payment at the collector’s rate. He said he had raised the issue in the state Assembly time and again and with Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Bansal said a solid waste plant, entailing an investment of crores, would be commissioned by the end of next month. The municipal council, with the help of the Indian Air Force and the Pollution Board, will construct the project.

He added that 150 acres of land had been acquired for a new grain market at village Bohana, which is five kms from Ambala. The foundation would be laid next month. The expansion of the Tangri river bridge is being finished at a war footing and would be completed by the end of March.

Also present at the occasion was Superintending Engineer Public Health T N Sharma. He said: “Almost 90 per cent of the construction work of the canal-based drinking water supply project has been completed. When completed, the drinking-water problems in Ambala Cantonment would be solved.”