Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, June 11: Illegal constructions continued unabated in Anantnag and Kulgam districts, mainly along the National Highway, as the administration has failed in acting against the accused.
The encroachments, as per locals, have come up along the National Highway in the twin districts as many school buildings and shopping complexes have been constructed in violations of norms and administration is sleeping over it.
Locals said that as the administration has failed to check the illegal constructions, more such constructions are coming up in the shape of schools and shopping complexes.
Resident of TB Shah, Harnag Anantnag said that a portion of the road has been encroached by some vested interests who are constructing showrooms there. “The matter was brought into the notice of District Development Commissioner, Anantnag who issued instructions, but nothing was done”, they said.
The ADC Anantnag, as per the documents, had directed Executive Engineer (R&B) PWD to look into the matter immediately. “He was also asked to make sure that not a single portion of the road is encroached upon by anyone. However, the orders seem to have fallen deaf ears”, locals said.
Residents said that at Harnag Anantnag, a Hyundai and several show rooms are coming up illegally but the district administration was acting as a mute spectator. They said that in Kulgam near Railway Station another Hyundai showroom and around two dozen complexes are coming up and several showrooms are also coming up at Wanpu Railway Station and district Administration Kulgam is not acting against the violators.
Locals said that while they are forced to run from pillar to post in order to get permission to construct even a single room and “the big shopping complexes are coming up without permission”. They said it is the poor who have to suffer for want of permission.
Assistant Development Commissioner (ADC), Anantnag Nazir Ahmad Khwaja said that he had issued orders for the necessary action. However, when he was asked that nothing was done after the orders, he said that he will look into the matter.
“I have passed orders for immediate action after the issue was brought into our notice by the delegation. There might be some delay in the action, I will surely issue another reminder to the concerned and the same shall be done soon,” he said.
On the issue of unabated illegal constructions, the ADC Anantnag said that the district administration was taking the issue seriously and that the action will be taken against those involved. “We have been quite intolerant regarding the illegal constructions and the same will continue. If in the night a construction comes up, we go in the morning and pull it down,” he said.
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