Illegal constructions new headache for SMC

Over 60 structures demolished, 2 dozen sealed in last 4 months says Dy Mayor SMC

Srinagar: Over the past few month's scores of illegal constructions have come up in Srinagar city and outskirts giving tough time to administration who are dealing with Covid-19 pandemic.
As per the reports, the illegal structures have come up at Lal Bazar, HMT, Zakura, Eidgah, Ali Jan road, Rainawari and at other areas. Whereas encroachment of water bodies including that of Khushalsar and Gilsar is also going on.
Reports added that whereas the illegal construction is going across Srinagar city, agricultural land is also being converted at city outskirt. Meanwhile, questions are being raised by the locals over the construction of illegal buildings across the Srinagar amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I don’t know how to do they manage to construct such buildings. On the one hand, we have lockdown and on the other hand, such constructions are going on, which should not happen”, said Majid Ahmad, a local resident.
He added, “Recently in Lal Bazar authorities who had gone to demolish the building were dealt with forces by locals as they accused Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of taking bribe and such is the situation here in the valley. Believe me, there are many such examples, however, that does not mean that buildings should be built illegally”.
Talking over the phone SMC Deputy Mayor Parvaiz Qadri said, “The situation is very difficult amid the Covid-19 pandemic as we have to deal with virus and illegal construction at the same time.” He added, “Every day we receive six to eight complaints of illegal construction and we make sure that we reach every place”.
Qadri said, “Most of the action against the illegal construction has been taking place at Lal Bazar, Ali Jan road, Eidgah, Zakura and at Srinagar outskirts HMT. The reason being that in many of those areas there is a good amount of agricultural land and people are converting those lands which is against the High Court. As all of us know conversion of agricultural land is not permitted by the High Court”.
“Other than that, there are water bodies and where encroachment is going on, however, over the past few weeks we have taken action against them and several structures have been demolished. And it will still go on”, he added.
Qadri said, “I would like to tell you that in the last four-month, SMC along with LAWDA has demolished over 60 illegal structures while two dozen illegal infrastructures have also been sealed. And, the process will go in coming days”.
“Have passed directions for constitution of a Task-Force headed by the SMC Enforcement Wing to eradicate unauthorized and illegal constructions in Khushalsar and Gilsar areas. SMC, District Police, LAWDA to act jointly. Modern technology to be used to check illegal encroachments”, Mayor SMC Junaid Azim Mattu had said earlier this week.