By Our Special Correspondent
JAMMU: In a swift day long operation, the Jammu Municipal Corporation on Monday has sealed 11 commercial buildings in different parts of the city which were constructed in violation of JMP-2032.
Excellent job, the rule of law must prevail else there would be mess around everywhere which the Jammuites are already facing daily on the roads.
But this zeal remains invisible towards a cluster of illegal commercial structures which were allowed to construct one after another with impunity.
Constructed along National Highway in Mahamaya-Ragoora road stretch, none of these illegal commercial structures have authorised permissions from JMC, alleged sources.
It’s a matter of investigation for the JMC authorities that how the enforcement wing remained unaware about these illegal constructions which keep going on non stop in their jurisdiction in warn No 71, avers an official of JMC.
From Mahamaya to Ragoora there are nearly dozen commercial structures supporting titles Mad Glad, Grand Hill, Good Guys, Landscape, Orange, Love at First Bite, Dill 16, Tomorrow Land, and I Love Jammu.
Allegations are being levelled against the JMC authorities for adopting leneint approach against these illegal commercial structures as most these belongs to those who enjoys close proximity with bureaucrats, police and politicians.
The JMC has adopted policy of sticks and carrots while carrying sealing of illegal buildings especially commercial structures, said Rajinder Singh.
Those enjoying political and administrative clouts remains untouched and this cluster of illegal structures is the best example of this favouritism, added Prof S.K Bhalla.
These commercial structures were constructed by some influential businessmen who enjoys close proximity with bureaucrats, police and politicians and thus enjoys impunity against BOCA actions, alleged Prof Bhalla.
Much to everyone surprise, some of these structures were constructed during the period the show cause notices were issued to them, said JMC insiders.
Not only BOCA violations, these commercial structures were raised in flagrant violations of MoRTNH norms as well as Ribbon Development Act, said JMC sources.
Devoid of parking and raised with the active cooperation of JMC officers now these illegal structures are endangering lives of motorists on the National Highway stretch from Mahamaya upto ASCOM Hospital, said Narinder Singh Bahu of the area.
Without active cooperation of enforcement wing none of these illegal commercial complexes can be constructed, alleged the locals of the area.
The District Magistrate too order an enquiry as to how the officials of Forest Department and NHAI remained mute spectators when these illegal commercial buildings were being constructed in contravention of laid down norms.
If this approach continues soon there will be mess alike old city along the roadside on National Highway from Bahu Rope way station upto Sidhara. The authorities need to wake up and nith the evil in the bud, said Rehmat Ali, a resident of Ragoora.
Brushing aside all allegations of favoritism, JMC Commissioner Avny Lavasa said “Show cause notices were issued to the owners of these buildings and whosoever high and mighty action under rules inevitable against the violators.”