Illegal construction goes unabated on banks of water bodies, people seek action
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Illegal construction goes unabated on banks of water bodies, people seek action

Water bodies are being monitored by CCTVs; violators won’t go unpunished: VC

Post by on Wednesday, July 20, 2022

First slide
Srinagar, July 19: Authorities claim that they leave no stone unturned to restore the glory of the lakes in Srinagar, meanwhile thereis a mushroom growth of illegal constructions taking place on the banks of Dal Lake and other lakes in the city.
The officials of the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) said they have registered hundreds of FIRs and demolished hundreds of illegally raised structures on the banks of water bodies across the city.
The people in Srinagar have raised eyebrows at the demolishing drives carried out by LCMA. They allege that the department is hand in glove with the violators. They said that most of the structures are being demolished when they are about to be completed.
To curb illegal encroachment, the government approved a master plan in 2019. Green belts were marked in the vicinity of Dal Gate to be maintained as no-construction zones. The government demarcated other strategic areas in Srinagar, including Nigeen Lake, Shalimar Garden, and Nishat Gardens. Construction continues on the sly by greasing the palms of the officials concerned.
People allege that the rich are freely constructing or renovating their houses within the green belt. Some token action is taken against the poor as a show of authority. LCMA officials demolish a bit of construction as eyewash. Thereafter, house owners are allowed to carry on with construction as they please. No illegal structure has been demolished to date or stopped from completion.
They raised the question that despite the installation of CCTVs on the banks of Dal Lake and watchers, the constriction is taking place. Which is not possible until the department officials are not involved in the activity."
A local from Nigeen who requested not be named told Rising Kashmir that "there is no doubt that the department carried out demolishing drives in and around Dal Lake and demolished structures raised around it."
He, however, questioned why the department was not demolishing structures at the beginning unless they were not involved in this activity.
He continued that earlier this year, deputy commissioner Srinagar had also ordered an anti-encroachment drive in and along the banks of the Historical Water Circuit of Khushal Sar. As part of the rejuvenation and restoration of the historical Lake of Khushaal Sar and other lakes, some 10 kanals of land were retrieved and structures raised illegally were demolished.
The district admin at that time stated that these drives around the lakes would be continued to retrieve the land illegally grabbed by the people. But since then, no major encroachment drives have been carried out by the authorities.
VC Lake Conservation and Management Authority Dr Bashir Ahmad Bhat said that no violators were being left without taking action. He said that due to staff shortages, people are raising illegal structures upon getting information that these structures are being demolished.
Bhat stated that if any officials are found to be delaying their duties, strict action will be taken against them. People should also approach the officials if they find any illegal construction being raised by any person.
The department also launched a phone number where people can register their complaints and action will be taken against them.
The officer also said that around 25 high-resolution CCTV cameras have been installed to prevent illegal construction. We are planning to add more high-resolution cameras to prevent water bodies from illegal construction.
 
 

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