Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 19: The residents of Gogjibagh area in Srinagar today accused Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of allowing the construction of a hotel in a narrow residential lane, in violation of laws, allegedly ignoring their objections raised over the past five years.
Locals said the construction has no parking space, no sewage treatment plant and violates the city’s master plan. They alleged that after the SMC issued permission (Order No. 3439 of 2018 dated 27/11/2018) in favour of Habibullah and Rashid Anwar for two double-storey residential houses, the owner violated the order and began constructing a three-storey building.
Later, locals said, the owner managed to obtain an amended order (No. 299 of 2019 dated 11/10/2019), which converted the residential permission into a commercial one, allowing a guest house. “We were shocked when the SMC converted a residential permit into a commercial one. The owner openly flouted the order, made several deviations, and continued the construction despite a stay from the Special Tribunal,” residents said.
They alleged that the hotel owner is an influential person and officials shield the violations. “The building has multiple rooms but no parking and no sewage treatment facility. Once operational, it will strain limited civic amenities and infringe on our privacy and modesty,” they added.
Residents said that, although the SMC issued a stay order directing the owner to halt work, the structure is nearly complete and may soon start operations. They said their repeated objections went unheard.
“The order issued by SMC is totally in contravention of municipal laws governing residential areas. It has outraged residents and vitiated the atmosphere of our locality,” locals said. They also drew parallels with the recent High Court order for demolition of illegal guest houses in Srinagar and demanded similar action. “We want the dubious order scrapped, all further construction seized, and the matter aligned with municipal laws applicable to residential areas,” the residents said.
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