A few days ago a demolition drive was conducted by the enforcement wing of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) in Saidakadal, Check-Saderable and Nigeen areas.
During the drive, seven illegal constructions including a house, few shops and tin sheds and a foot bridge were demolished by the enforcement team.
But there seems to be that a free hand has been given to the affluent class to go for an unabated construction spree across the municipal limits in Srinagar. Huge mansions, and shopping malls are being raised and the process has gained momentum after abrogation of Article 370.
Many of these constructions have been allowed in brazen violation of Master Plan. From Ahmed Nagar in north City to Rawalpora in the south, to places like Lal-chowk, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh and Raj Bagh in between, the constructions are going on hassle free, literally under the nose of the civic body and stand tall in violation of building bylaws with the municipal authorities showing their helplessness in stopping the same.
This unabated cycle of construction depicts a deep rooted nexus between some corrupt officers who in league with city residents have a scant regard for the municipal laws. Reports also suggest that hefty amounts are being transacted in lieu of official patronage given to people who have raised sky touching malls in the city centre.
While it is understood that these constructions were being allowed after political interference from the political big wigs before August 5, 2019 but the question remains how are these constructions being allowed and are going on at many places in the city under the LG led administration in J&K.
Need of the hour is that the lieutenant governor should take a serious notice of these constructions both in Srinagar and Jammu and take the officers to task who are found behind such rampant constructions being carried out against the norms. Sooner, the better!
