Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 29: An illegal construction at tourist resort Sonamarg has been demolished after it was found to be in violation of building regulations, the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) has informed the Government.
The action-which was termed as politically motivated-as per the SDA, has been taken after the structure, originally approved as two huts, was instead developed into a hotel with a basement, violating the sanctioned plan.
According to an official communication from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SDA to the Commissioner Secretary of Tourism, building permission for the construction of two huts was granted in 2016 to Abdul Rehman Mir of Kangan.
However, the communication stated, instead of adhering to the approved plan, the permittee allegedly excavated a much larger area, laying the foundation for a 6,120 sqft structure, including a basement.
“This clearly indicates that instead of constructing huts, the permittee constructed a hotel with a basement, which is a brazen violation of the permission issued.”
The unauthorized expansion led to the issuance of a show cause notice on November 22, 2016, followed by a demolition order on November 24, 2016, under Section 7(1) of the J&K BOCA Act.
As per the communication, the matter was also challenged in the J&K High Court through a writ petition, which resulted in a stay on construction in December 2016.
Subsequently, the work was halted, and enforcement agencies ensured compliance. However, in April 2022, the court dismissed the petition for “want of prosecution,” effectively vacating the stay order.
The communication stated that the building permission had expired in 2018, and no revalidation was sought by the permittee, rendering the approval invalid.
Additionally, it has been noted that a blanket ban on construction in Sonamarg, imposed by the High Court in a separate suo moto PIL, remained in force.
Despite these restrictions, authorities, as per the communication, allege that on the intervening night of January 26 and 27, Bashir Ahmad Mir, son of the permittee and a political activist, resumed construction under the cover of darkness while officials were engaged in Republic Day celebrations.
Upon being alerted, the authorities swiftly intervened and demolished the illegal structure, the communication State.
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