Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 25: While the constructions on the agricultural land are going on unabated along Baramulla-Kupwara National Highway near Handwara, the locals are alleging that same are being carried out illegally and in violation of the norms.
As per locals, scores of commercial establishments have come up from Cinema Hall to Chattipora on both sides of the National Highway while the administration is in deep slumber.
“In the last few years, there has been a mushrooming of commercial establishments along the National Highway and there is nobody to keep a check on the constructions that are taking place on the agricultural land,” Muhammad Maqbool, a local said.
The locals said that the owners of these establishments have constructed huge complexes in close proximity of the National Highway and have not adhered to the norms and regulations that are to be followed.
“The concerned authorities are even permitting the construction of these establishments without taking into consideration the nature of the land; there is no one to keep a check on whether these buildings are being constructed at the required distance from the road,” the locals said.
It is to be noted that all the buildings that are coming up along the NH have the required permission from the Municipal Committee, Handwara which is giving out permissions without assessing the ground situation. “Even in giving out the permissions, the Committee is selective,” the locals said.
The concerned Tehsildar, Handwara told Excelsior that the Department has written to the Municipal Committee, Handwara that there are repeated violations of LRA-133, however, the Municipal Committee, has stated that the area falls under their jurisdiction and the Revenue Department has got no role in that.
The officials who have been carrying out demolition drives along the NH said that they often have encountered a situation where a particular structure was constructed in violation of the rules, “but, the owners had the required permissions,” the officials said.
The Chairman, Municipal Committee, Handwara Masroor Banday while refuting the allegations of illegal constructions and violation of norms told Excelsior that the permissions are issued as per the rules and regulations.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel