Section 23(1)(a) in The Punjab Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1961
(a)to inspect any drain, latrine, urinal, cesspool, pipe, sewer or channel in or on any building or land in a slum area, and in his discretion to cause the ground to be opened for the purpose of preventing or removing any nuisance arising from the drain, latrine, urinal, cesspool, pipe, sewer, or channel, as the case may be;