Srinagar, Feb 14: Scores of people in Srinagar are expressing anger towards the authorities for the delays in obtaining building permissions. They have been waiting for months to obtain NOCs for construction in the city, and as a result, they feel forced to resort to illegal constructions.
A group of affected residents told Rising Kashmir that it has been three months since the last Building and Control Authority (BOCA) meeting took place, and no permissions have been issued by the administration in Srinagar city since then.
They said, although the government had promised that online building permissions would provide relief, the situation has actually worsened. Obtaining permissions is taking an unusually long time, which is pushing residents towards illegal constructions.
A senior government official from Srinagar spoke with Rising Kashmir said, “The delay in issuing NOCs for construction is due to the non-availability of the chief town planner.” He mentioned that the matter has been brought to the attention of the administration in order to fill the vacant position. They assured that the issue will be resolved within a few days.
According to reports, the office of the chief town planner in Srinagar has been vacant for a long time. The administration had been making arrangements to address the situation and provide relief to residents seeking building permissions. However, for unknown reasons, no one has been appointed as the Chief Town Planner Officer for the past three months, causing great inconvenience to the general public.
A local resident of Karanagar, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that he has been visiting the office for several months in order to obtain permission to construct a residential house. Despite the passage of several months, he has been unable to find a solution. He expressed his helplessness, stating that illegal construction seems to be his only option.
He added, “If I had been issued permission on time, I would have completed my structure. But I am helpless, and I am well aware that if I proceed with construction, several departments will question me and my structure will be demolished.”
Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, the in-charge secretary of the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), told Rising Kashmir that the delay in building permissions is due to the unavailability of the Chief Town Planner. Bhat explained that before any permission can be issued, NOCs from all relevant departments are required. He stated that the matter has been taken up with higher officials, and it will be resolved in the coming days.
