Omar tweets about illegal constructions in Gulmarg

Srinagar, Dec 13: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that massive constructions were being carried out under the guise of "minor repairs" in Gulmarg tourist resort.

"It's terrible to see that under the guise of minor repairs, massive constructions are being carried out in Gulmarg, authorities complicit," Omar, the working president of opposition National Conference wrote on Twitter.

The Jammu and Kashmir High court has passed several orders recently directing the authorities to take substantive action against illegal constructions in the resort area.

Following the court orders last month, several buildings constructed illegally or in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan in and around Dal and Nigeen Lakes have been sealed.

Given the enormity of violations around these endangered water bodies, the High Court had directed the State Vigilance Organisation to probe the assets of officials of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority.

Several shopping malls and complexes, which did not have parking space-a prerequisite under the Master Plan, have also been sealed on the court orders.

However, residents here allege that the concerned authorities are hand-in-glove with the law violators, thus turning the Srinagar city into a "concrete jungle".

Nisar Ahmad, another resident, said a large number of illegal constructions take place under political patronage. "Houses have been constructed on water channels or canals after filling them up ...there have been cases where public roads have been encroached upon by political workers," he said.

While the officials of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) refused to comment, they have been issuing advertisements in local dailies calling upon people not to violate the laws.

PTI