Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Aug 3: Taking advantage of the pandemic, some unscrupulous persons have resorted to illegal construction on agricultural land, falling between Sheeri-Kitchma road stretch on Baramulla-Uri National Highway despite a ban on such activities.
As per residents, the violators carried most of the work during the lockdown period as administration was busy tackling the pandemic and movement was limited. Several commercial complexes were raised in the last 12-months as there was little monitoring by the revenue officials. “When all the government machinery was busy tackling COVID-19, these greedy people were building those structures. The construction work never stopped,” residents said.
Apart from raising the commercial complexes, residents said, violators turned some temporary shops into concrete structures. They, however, alleged the structures were built in connivance with the Revenue officials as the violations took place right under their nose.
“The violations are visible on the ground and the authorities are deliberately turning a blind eye to it. These structures stand tall on the highway and it is unlikely not to notice them. officials know everything but they are cashing out the opportunity,” residents said.
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In order to prevent vandalization of agricultural land, authorities have banned construction work within 100 meters on either side of the Highway. However, mushrooming of commercial structures on the road stretch clearly suggests that the local administration has failed to implement the ban.
The owners of one such shopping complex claimed that he has obtained the building permission from the Roads and Buildings Department. “The R&B gave me permission to construct this shopping complex as I possess only agricultural land,” an owner said.
As per the law, the agricultural land on which paddy, vegetation, or saffron has been grown for two years cannot be used for any purpose unless written permission is got from the Revenue department.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Bhupinder Kumar told Excelsior that a detailed report has been sought and action would be taken soon. “I have sought a detailed report and action will be taken,” he said.
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