Amid covid19 lockdown, illegal constructions Galore in tourist place Pahalgam

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag ,10 May: Amid covid19 lockdown, the illegal constructions are going unabated in Pahalgam area of South kashmir’s Anantnag District while the authorities are acting as mute spectators with  no action against the  violators.

According to sources the illegal constructions are going in various places including picturesque pahalgam, Langanbal, and Mavoora area as the concerned authorities have failed to curb the violators.

Sources said that the violators are carrying construction materials in broad daylight to pahalgam. It has become a ‘nuisance’ for the tourist place .

Sources said that there are also some rich and influential hoteliers in Pahalgam who are violating the norms and constructing illegally their hotels without any official permission.

Pertinently,the Arising state recently carried a story on Mavoora Pahalgam with the headline of “State land illegally encroached by local hoteliers, authorities unmoved”. However, no action has yet been taken against the violators.

Locals of the area while Talking to Arising state complained about the rampant  lawlessness prevailing in the area . ”The laws are meant only for poor people while as  rich and influenced people go scot free.Rich  are violating  all the norms and authorities are watching as mute spectators  ,nobody cares about ordinary people but rich and powerful get away easily”,they said.

They further said,” when they are struggling to get permission for minor repair works for their  houses  , the influential hoteliers have been given free hand to construct their hotels without any permission.”

Added that these rich and influential people are taking advantage of the coronavirus lockdown and are constructing their hotels amid lockdown in Pahalgam.One can see  an increasing number of  illegal constructions,popping up all over in the area but concerned  authorities seem to have plugged their ears and blindfolded their eyes .

Locals of the area have appealed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag for intervention and demanded strict action against the violators including the officials who have ‘allowed’ these illegal constructions in this area.

Meanwhile, Arising state received some videos and pictures of some hoteliers in Pahalgam who are constructing their hotels in broad daylight without any permission.

Talking to Arising state CEO PDA Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani said that he  will look into the matter and if any hotelier found doing any construction work without any permission, action will be taken against the hoteliers, he said.