Spurt in hassle free opening of illegal commercial establishments in Gandhi Nagar has exposed startling gaps in reforms that were recently introduced by authorities in Jammu Municipal Corporation for effective implementation of Unified Building bylaws 2021 through double engine monitoring system.
This ruthless commercialization of an area which once considered as a peaceful abode has added more worries to the existing woes of law abiding residents whose troubles keep multiplying due to recurring traffic snarls, congestion, chaos and commotion.
Expressing their ire against JMC, the aggrieved residents of Gandhi Nagar complained that in past few months’ commercial establishments in contravention of UBBL and JMP-2032 are opening at a break neck speed which only implies that a hidden hand has set deadline for accomplishment of these illegalities.
Opening of illegal commercial establishments in violation of existing rules, building bylaws and Master Plan is a widespread issue in Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar and Channi Himmat areas, leading to civic problems of varied nature. For long, the JMC is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons in this context.
This chronic issue has has assumed an alarming speed in the backdrop of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court direction, wherein, the JMC authorities have been directed to file an affidavit with a list of all shops and commercial establishments operating in the Gandhi Nagar area- designated primarily as residential zone under zoning laws.
Urging the Commissioner JMC for fixing accountability for illegal conversion of residential buildings into shops in the entire Gandhi Nagar area, prominent activist, Prof. S.K.Bhalla when contacted opined “If what happened in the past pertaining to illegal commercialization of housing colony in Gandhi Nagar was an act of corruption, at least, the present authorities in JMC can put a full stop on fresh illegalities and fix accountability for laxity with all the might at their disposal”. Illegalities exist either due to dereliction of duties or connivance-both warranting action under law of the land, he further added.
While sharing details and photos of commercial establishments which were allegedly opened recently without NoC and CLU, a retired bureaucrat of Gandhi Nagar confiding anonymity told JK Global News, “We are forced to live in a mess created by the wrongs of JMC. These illegalities cannot go unchecked unless those entrusted with job to curb all this put their foot down”.
Under the disguise of clinic, opening of unauthorised nursing home without provision for parking by entirely converting residential building have become another nuisance in the area.”Inspite of the fact that Master Plan clearly sates that only a doctor can opened only a clinic for consultation purpose in his residential premises without renting out property for the same purpose.However, in connivance with JMC, entire residential premises are converted into nursing homes sans NoC. This is another scandal flourishing in JMC, alleged a resident of Gandhi Nagar.
If still the higher ups in JMC alike their predecessors continue to overlook these flagrant violations, this entire Gandhi Nagar housing colony will become a glaring example of change of land use hell for residents, he added.
Hinting at existence of a well entrenched nexus involving some private entities which act as middlemen in ensuring free for all conversion of residential premises into commercial complexes, a retired Joint Commissioner of JMC on condition of anonymity said, “There is one person namely Arjit Singh, claiming to be an Advocate who brags of proximity with JMC officers and flaunting opening of illegal shops in Gandhi Nagar and surrounding areas exploiting loopholes in system”.
With posting of JEs’ in enforcement wing, now some contractors of Jammu city who are engaged with civil works of lanes and drains have also jump into this illegal bonhomie, alleged another retired enforcement inspector who once reportedly rejected gratification of Rs. 20 lakhs offered by a violator with a plea to shelve sealing of three shops in the vicinity of Apsara Theatre which were carved after installing iron shutters by dismantling walls of a residential structure.
Even issuance of NoC to run commercial establishments in residential Housing colony is not less than a big scandal if investigated impartially, he further added.
When contacted, Dr. Devansh yadav, Commissioner JMC, said that details be shared with him for further necessary action.