In absence of accountability for failure to act decisively against Master Plan violations, Jagti-Ban area in Tehsil Nagrota has become a hub of buildings that are being constructed without seeking a change in land use or building permission.
Though, the Jammu Development Authority has deployed manpower for overlooking development of this fast-emerging semi-urban area in conformity with JMP-2032. The grapevine, however, is that buildings in contravention of the J&K Control of Building Operation Act, 1988, keep accruing in Jagti in recent past, especially on land categorized as a green zone in JMP 2032, resulting in a cluster of unorganized development.
This unhealthy practice is still prevalent, raising a question mark on the controversial working of khilafwarzi inspectors despite recent endeavors of incumbent Vice-Chairman JDA, Rupesh Kumar, to streamline functioning of enforcement wing.
JK Global News, in a news item dated Nov 30th, 2025, have highlighted scores of constructions where violators in Jagti, right under the nose of enforcement inspector Rahil Sharma, were conveniently building structures without seeking CLU and building permission. After the post exposed them, the JDA swung into action and, as part of its old symbolic exercise, issued notices to violators in a hush-hush manner.
Ironically, two violators were served notices under COBO Act, 1988, when they accomplished slab work, while one influential business establishment managed to complete boundary walls up to desired level behind an existing commercial structure and is only waiting for a fine weather day to fix shed.
Alleging pick and choose in initiating action against unlawful constructions in Ban-Jagti area of Nagrota, locals accused JDA enforcement wing, especially ground staff, of being hand in glove with violators. “Under rules, the enforcement inspectors are bound to act under COBO Act, 1988, at plinth stage of illegal constructions. However, they wake up from deep slumber only when someone exposes their hidden plans,” said a local of Jagti.
Highlighting modus operandi behind sudden growth of tin shed structures near Rajan Restaurant, opposite Jamboolcohan Zoo, and one near IIM Jagti, the locals informed us that in alleged connivance with JDA officials, the violators are constructing tin structures at initial stage as part of an alleged deal with an assurance to convert them later into permanent concrete buildings by reflecting them as old existing structures.
It is worth mentioning here that as per HUDD circular No. 03-JK (HUD) of 2020 dated 24/10/2020 for effective implementation of JMP-2032 and the J&K Metropolitan Region Development Authorities Act, 2018, no one can avail electricity and water connections without a copy of sanctioned building permission issued by the competent authority.
Efforts to seek reaction of Director Land Management could not materialized, however, an official of JDA on condition of anonymity said, “The V-C has taken serious view of unlawful constructions in Jagti area of Nagrota and accountability will be fixed for mushrooming illegal constructions. Every unauthorised constructions will face music of law”.