Srinagar, June 24: Despite being primarily designated as a residential area, the Srinagar Development Authority’s (SDA) Housing Colony in Bemina is increasingly becoming a hotspot for illegal commercial activities. Originally planned as a well-organized residential enclave, the colony is now witnessing a rising number of residential properties being converted into unauthorized commercial establishments.
Designed with clear zoning norms, the Housing Colony was intended to provide a peaceful living space with parks, open spaces, and designated shopping areas. However, over the past few years, many property owners — particularly those with ground-floor homes along key roads — have been converting their residences into shops, salons, and other commercial spaces, often without obtaining the necessary permits. This growing trend has led to concerns among residents, who fear that the rising commercialization could disrupt the area’s planned structure and compromise its original purpose.
Many residents have voiced their frustration with the situation, citing the erosion of the colony’s peaceful residential environment. “It’s disheartening to see the colony change like this,” said Arsalan Shah, a long-time resident. “The whole idea of a residential colony is being undermined by these commercial activities.”
“This was supposed to be a peaceful residential area with parks for our children,” added Furqan Rizvi, another resident. “Now, every other house is a shop. The SDA seems to be turning a blind eye to these violations.”
The unchecked growth of illegal commercial establishments is not only disrupting the colony’s tranquillity but also putting a strain on the infrastructure. With more people flocking to the area for business purposes, traffic congestion has become a growing concern. The narrow lanes, originally intended for residential traffic, are now clogged with vehicles, making it difficult for residents to navigate.
“I have lived here for decades and I have never seen the roads so congested,” said Yasir Bhat, a local resident. “These businesses are pushing out the people who actually live here. The whole community is feeling the pressure now.”
“This used to be a quiet and peaceful area,” said Taha Shah, another resident. “Now, with shops popping up in every house, it’s hard to even step outside without bumping into people trying to park. The infrastructure just isn’t built for this kind of crowd.” Locals also allege that the SDA has failed to take meaningful action despite repeated complaints. They argue that the lack of enforcement of zoning laws has exacerbated the situation, leading to further encroachments and misuse of residential spaces.
“The SDA has done nothing to stop this,” said Bilal Ganaie. “We’ve raised our concerns multiple times, but no action has been taken. It’s becoming harder to live here, and it feels like we’ve been forgotten.”
Responding to these concerns, a senior official at the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), requesting anonymity, acknowledged the ongoing issue, stating, “We are fully aware of the situation and are actively working to address the violations. However, due to limited resources, effective enforcement has become increasingly difficult.”
The official went on to emphasize that stronger cooperation from the residents is crucial for tackling the problem, adding, “We can’t tackle this alone. We need residents to play a more active role in monitoring the area and reporting violations. Only through a joint effort can we restore the original vision of the colony and prevent further encroachments.” As the issue persists, residents remain hopeful that their concerns will be addressed, urging for a balance between urban development and the preservation of residential spaces. “We just want to live in peace, without the chaos of commercial activities overtaking our homes,” said Mohammad Shafi. “It’s not too late to fix this, but the authorities need to act now before it’s too late.”
