Illegal construction goes on unabated in Yusmarg; YDA sleeping

Srinagar: Under the cover of the covid crisis and complicity of few govt officials, an illegal construction of a commercial tourism project has been going on in Yusmarg for the last several weeks.

According to the locals and government officials in know of things, construction has been going on even as they have brought it to the notice of Yusmarg Development Authority (YDA).

The tourism related building is built by a developer from Srinagar, who, according to the locals, has been using his contacts and influence with certain officials so that his construction activity goes unnoticed.

Officials at DC Office Budgam said they were unaware of the construction activity and that the developer seems to have taken benefit of the lockdown situation.

Several attempts to reach Yusmarg Development Authority CEO did not succeed, as he was not reachable over phone.

Barely one kilometre from the Tourist Reception Centre of Yusmarg in the main Yusmarg Road at Nagbal, the illegal construction of the commercial complex has reportedly been undertaken even without following the basic permission rules.

Pertinently, the Ribbon Development Act and the Yusmarg Master Plan envisage several guidelines to be fulfilled for any commercial project to preserve the pristine natural environment of the area.

Shockingly, the building is being constructed adjacent to a crucial irrigation canal, and the tons of snow that are likely to slide down the building roof could block the waters of the canal.

Moreover, the waste generated during the construction is going right into the canal, posing a risk to its water flow too.

Revenue Department officials in Budgam said that any construction in the YDA jurisdiction area meant for commercial use is supposed to receive NOCs from relevant departments.

Meanwhile, local activists have demanded immediate dismantling of the building.