Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 2: While the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is active in the city about identifying and demolishing unauthorized and illegal constructions, it appears to be unaware of such works being carried out in the city outskirts particularly at several spots along the National Highway.
There has been a mushrooming of unauthorized and illegal constructions which include commercial as well as residential establishments along the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway from Shalteng to Lawaypora.
The locals told Excelsior that almost all the new structures-commercial as well as residential-that are coming up along the Highway are unauthorized and their construction is being carried out without getting the required permission from the concerned authorities.
“This is open loot as the unregulated, illegal constructions are coming up with every passing day along the National Highway and nobody seems to be bothered about keeping a check,” the locals said.
Earlier, there was also a hue and cry over the construction of a multi-crore commercial complex coming up in Srinagar city. The structure was termed illegal by the locals and demanded action from the SMC.
“It seems the more we tweet about it the more corrupt and filthier it gets in terms of Nazrana and corruption demands from corrupt. We have seen no action from @SMC_Srinagar. Just photo ops and then at last Illegal gets constructed much before than legal,” Sheikh Mohammed Imran, former Deputy Mayor Srinagar, and Executive Committee Member, SMC Tweeted.
About the unauthorized constructions along the National Highway, the residents there as well are alleging corruption and malpractice by the ground staff, while underlining the need for a thorough probe by the higher officials of the authority competent of giving the construction permissions.
They also said that not a single official from the concerned authority has visited the spots where the constructions are ongoing to ascertain whether the permissions have been granted to them or not
The Commissioner SMC, Athar Amin Khan told Excelsior that these sites will be inspected and the directions have been issued to the enforcement wing in this regard. “They will all be inspected. If found unauthorised or illegal, necessary action will be taken…,” he said.
In the meantime, one floor of a multi-story building was demolished by the SMC on the main highway this evening, soon after Commissioner told Excelsior in the afternoon that action will be taken against the violators.
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