Illegal constructions galore along NH in Sopore, authorities in slumber

Illegal constructions along National Highway at Renge Trangund area of Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. -Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
Illegal constructions along National Highway at Renge Trangund area of Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. -Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Illegal constructions are going on unabated along the National Highway in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district even as the concerned authorities have failed to take timely action in this regard.
As per details, there are a number of such constructions that have come up in the last some time and in response to which the concerned authorities have issued necessary notices, directing them to clear the encroachments.
One such notice has been issued in this regard to an individual who has constructed a shopping complex at km 38 on the National Highway on the left side near Renge Tramgund of Sopore and despite that, the concerned violator has not bothered to clear the encroachment.
After that, the office of the Assistant Executive Engineer National Highway Sub-Division R&B Baramulla issued the final notice to the violator who has informed that the necessary revisions in the building plan have been made by the violator even as the officials said that they will look into the matter.
The locals said that when the violators started the construction works along the National Highway, the concerned authorities did not take note of the same at that time and that, it is when the building is fully constructed, the authorities wake up from slumber.
They said that there are a number of illegal constructions either executed or are being executed from Renge to Potkhah while the concerned authorities have failed in acting well in time.
Assistant Executive Engineer (R&B), National Highway Sub-Division Baramulla Gulzar Ahmad told Excelsior that they have acted against several violators and the same will continue in future as well.
“We have also removed several illegal constructions. Recently we had few violations which were stopped at the initial notice; while as few shed type constructions have been demolished at Hyderbeigh,” he said.
Concerning the construction that has come up at km 38 on the National Highway on life side near Renge Trangund of Sopore, he said that as per the guidelines, the structure has been erected in total violation.
“But there might have taken place some revisions of the guidelines by the National Highway Authority. We will then again review the case and act accordingly. We are ensuring zero encroachments, and violations along the NH,” he said.