With resumption of illegal constructions on an alarming scale, the extraordinary decision of the vice-chairman of the Jammu Development Authority to deploy deputed Patwaris of Revenue department for coordinated action against Master Plan violations has seemingly exposed hollowness of tall reforms.
In Jagti, which is fast transforming into a commercial hub, currently five huge structures are reportedly being constructed without mandatory building permission and change in land use (CLU). One sprawling under-construction structure is coming up along National Highway in a concealed manner behind a renowned food establishment. Currently, enforcement inspector, Rahil Sharma (patwari) is deployed in Tehsil Nagrota for reporting of illegal constructions.
“Every year, on account of illegal colonies and unauthorized constructions, the JDA is incurring gigantic losses running into several crores in the shape of building permission, CLU and NoC. This indicates existence of a well-established nexus of corruption,” say reliable sources in Housing and Urban Development.
In the eyes of storm for alleged selective approach towards demolition of encroached structures, the JDA also earned ignominy for its long dubious role in massive violation of the master plan, leading to unplanned development of several areas.
There are serious accusations against the JDA’s enforcement wing for remaining mute spectators to establishment of unlawful colonies and unstoppable illegal constructions in Birpur, Jagti, Vijaypur, Bishnah, Bhalwal, Phallian Mandal, Chowadhi, R.S.Pura, Udhaywala etc.
Sharing photos of illegal constructions in Jagti, a local complained that these fresh unlawful structures are not raised in a day. Pointing at two structures adjoining IIT complex, which almost reached the slab level, he further alleged, “The silence of enforcement staff deployed in the area itself explains the complicity and nexus of corruption.”
The moment a common man starts construction work, the JDA team appears in a jiffy and act at inception stage, but in case of influential persons, they prefer delay tactics under garb of COBO exercise until violators complete unlawful constructions. Further, availing protection as part of alleged match fixing, the violators commenced business operation by managing a stay from the court, alleged another local of Jagti, adding that many sealed establishments in Jagti are operating business activities.
To ensure administrative efficiency and transparency in acting against mushrooming illegal constructions and proliferation of unauthorized colonies, the VC, JDA, Rupesh Kumar, vide order No. 185-JDA of 2025 dated 4/9/2025, had entrusted duties of enforcement inspectors to nine deputed patwaris and girdawars of revenue department by divesting all existing employees of JDA of enforcement responsibilities.
Further digging into the matter, when JK Global News inquired about status of unlawful constructions in other zones, reliable sources in JDA said, “In the current scenario, Jagti is just a tip of an iceberg, as unauthorized constructions have assumed an alarming proportion in Bajalta, Chowadhi, Vijaypur, Bhalwal, Marh morh, Ring road, Mandal, Bishnah”.
Alleging that the old practice of patronizing illegal constructions is still intact, he further added, “In absence of concrete action as per COBO Act 1998, issuance of notices to violators has become an eyewash exercise.” It is astonished to see that a violator manages to complete illegal constructions consuming months when, as a matter of fact, the Khilafwarzi wing is bound to complete entire exercise under the COBO Act against violators within 12 days.
When contacted, Tehsildar Zone 1, JDA, admitting that scores of constructions were underway in Jagti without CLU and approved building permission, said, “Notices were issued to violators, and work on all illegal constructions stopped.” Further, the officer vouched, “On completion of notices period, the sealing exercise will be initiated”.