Domestic construction is reportedly being illicitly converted into commercial construction in Laddi Pahalgam, with authorities allegedly in deep slumber

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag: Illegal constructions continue to thrive in South Kashmir’s Laddi Pahalgam area. According to sources, illegal construction works are in full swing in Laddi Pahalgam, while the administration remains in deep slumber.

According to sources, individuals who had permission for house construction in Laddi Pahalgam have illegally converted their construction into commercial buildings, violating government norms, sources said.

However, the concerned department officials have sent notices to the violators to stop the illegal construction of commercial buildings, otherwise face action.

Arising State received a notice from the sources in which Executive Magistrate Block Development Officer Pahalgam sent a notice to an owner (Name withheld) wide No, BP/Pyt/23-24/1365-71 dated 12-10-2023 and intimated that “By virtue of this notice, you are hereby directed to stop the construction and apply for proper building permission in the office of Block Development Officer, Pahalgam/Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pahalgam within seven days from the receipt of this notice.

You are also directed not to continue the construction until approval is granted; otherwise, action, as warranted under Rule 155 and 156 of J&K Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996, would be initiated against you. Reads the notice.

If the violation continues, demolition of the structure would be carried out without any further notice by Block Development Officer, Pahalgam. Reads the notice.

However, sources said that there are several people who had permission for house construction while they have illegally converted their house permission into commercial constructions, sources said.

Meanwhile, talking to Arising State, BDO Pahalgam Amir Hassan assures action and said that things will be observed strictly. It is intimated that building codes, change of land use, a series of guidelines, and even the master plan are available that need to be strictly observed, he said. Added that if anybody is found violating the norms, action will be taken against the violators, he said.