Jammu, May 4: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) on Monday carried out a major anti-encroachment drive on the outskirts of Jammu city, demolishing over 15 structures built without requisite permissions, officials said.
They said notices had been served to the violators according to legal procedures, giving them adequate time to comply.
“In a significant enforcement action undertaken today, the JDA carried out a major demolition drive along the Ring Road corridor to check illegal constructions,” an official spokesperson said.
He said more than 15 structures, built without obtaining necessary building permissions from the competent authority, were razed during the operation. “These structures were in clear violation of approved land use norms and building regulations,” he added.
According to the officials, preliminary assessments indicated that several of the unauthorised constructions posed a serious threat to public safety.
“Many of these structures were either structurally unsound or had encroached upon critical areas, increasing the risk to life and property, particularly for nearby residential and commercial establishments,” they said.
The Enforcement Wing of the JDA carried out the demolition drive with assistance from the local administration and law enforcement agencies, ensuring a smooth operation without any untoward incident.
Reiterating its commitment to planned development, the JDA urged the public to adhere to building norms and obtain necessary permissions before undertaking construction.
“Unauthorised constructions not only violate the law but also endanger public safety and disrupt orderly urban growth,” a JDA spokesperson said, adding that similar drives will continue in future.
Some residents alleged that JDA officials allowed illegal constructions to come up over the past two years in exchange for monetary benefits. They claimed no action has been taken against such officials.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier informed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that over 16,000 kanals (1 sq km is equal to 1,976.84 kanals) of JDA land was under encroachment.
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