JAMMU: Tough enforcement mechanism against unauthorised constructions activated activated by the Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Dr. Devansh Yadav appear to have prompted a new tactic among wilful violators who are now raising large prefabricated steel structures instead of conventional buildings.
As part of what appears to be a well-crafted strategy, the owner first erects a large prefabricated iron structure, largely for commercial purposes, and, if a complaint finally prompts JMC authorities to take notice, the violators comes up with a seemingly tutored explanation stating that the structure was merely a preventive measure to stop water leakage from the existing building.
“There is a sudden increase in the construction of fabricated steel structures,” a JMC officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told JKGN. This trend is multiplying at alarming speed, he added.
According to residents and sources, as part of well planned strategy is to describe such structures, after receiving notices, as temporary sheds erected merely to prevent water leakage from existing old buildings. Residents, however, question how such an explanation can justify massive commercial structures occupying large chunk of land.
At Sainik Colony Sector-A, residents pointed to a huge iron structure spread over nearly one kanal, claiming its construction cost could run around 15 to 20 lakhs.
“Calling such a gigantic industrial-looking structure a shed to prevent leakage is bizarre,” an aggrieved resident said.
Locals alleged that JMC acted only after complaints from nearby residents, but subsequently removed merely two or three iron sheets, leaving the bulk of the structure intact and allowing commercial activity to continue.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that this strategy could prove a “win-win” situation for violators unwilling to spend substantial amounts on Land Use Change (CLU) and building permissions.
“What is the need to spend nearly ₹10–15 lakh on CLU for one kanal of land and another ₹2–3 lakh on building permission when the matter can allegedly be settled for a few lakhs through the services of ‘holy crusaders’ and self-styled middlemen claiming proximity to the rank and file of the Housing and Urban Development Department?” the sources alleged.
Referring to prompt demolition of two illegally constructed shops recently, locals of the locality further alleged that structures belonging to ordinary citizens are demolished swiftly, while those allegedly linked to influential persons survive what they described as “eye-wash demolition exercises.”
A similar case has been reported from Sector-D, Sainik Colony, where residents claimed a large fabricated structure along the main road, spread over nearly one kanal, has remained standing for more than a year.
In Gandhi Nagar, residents alleged that another commercial fabricated structure reached an advanced stage over several months before authorities reportedly initiated action following media exposure. The structure, however, was not subsequently seen demolished, they claimed. Following public uproar over what residents called an “eye wash demolition,” the owner reportedly obtained relief in the shape of status quo from a tribunal.
The allegations raise a larger question: if prefabricated structures in contravention of existing building bye laws are being constructed to commercialise land without following the prescribed permission process, how effectively is the enforcement machinery keeping pace with this emerging method?.
“If concrete action against every unauthorised construction is taken only after the matter is brought to the notice of the JMC Commissioner, it raises a pertinent question: what exactly is the enforcement wing doing at the field level?” questioned reliable sources in the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD).
JKGN contacted the Joint Commissioner (Enforcement), JMC, for his response, but calls went unanswered. The concerned Enforcement Officer, however, said all such unauthorised fabricated commercial structures would “face the music of law” in the coming days.