Construction in Phalgam continues despite high court ban

Construction in Phalgam continues despite high court ban

PDA’s Engineers, squads minting money, CEO assures action  

Saahil Suhail

Phalgam, July 01: Despite a state high court ban, violators having political and bureaucratic patronage have yet again resumed plundering fragile environment of this world famous tourist resort by raising constructions illegally.

 Sources inside the development authority revealed that the illegal construction works in this sensitivity environment is being mainly carried out by the affluent business men and people enjoying in nexus with the officials of the authority.

They said that in wild life area unknown violators have started re-constructing the hut owned by a former deceased wildlife conservator, Mir Inayattulah at Choor Bridge in Aru Mandlen.  Sources said that similarly a Panch, Farooq Ahmad Koka affiliated with National Conference is also constructing a hut in Batkoot area and Phalgam Development authority hasn’t mustered courage to ban the construction.

“He (Panch) is constructing huts in an organized manner, firstly he is constructing hut and then sells it to any city resident at very high prices.” claimed sources, adding so far as he has managed to construct over three huts despite ban.

“On behalf of a Srinagar resident, a local villager in Sarchin area is constructing a hotel and has dumped the construction material worth of over 100 lakhs.” They said.

PDA sources said that soon after the attachment of former tainted CEO Reyaz Ahmad Wani, few violators at Movera have also started raising construction adjacent to government school.

PDA employees blamed Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Mohd Yousf who currently owns the charge of development authority for the rampant constructions.  

“Earlier a squad was of over ten people but he (Mohd Yousf) attached all the employees to office and deputed only two employees for eight spots, so it gets impossible for them to keep an eye of the situation.” said, an employee, whishing anonymity.

Interestingly, Hotel Himalayan owner identified as Gulzar Ahmad Hajam has encroached Lidder River and constructed few hotel rooms over it; however the department besides acknowledging the violations done by the hotelier has not initiated any action against.   

Locals said that the engineers and employees of the department were minting money from the violators. “How come it is possible that any construction takes place it is a nexus and primarily in every violations PDA stands involved.” alleged locals.

“Posting in PDA is prize posting and all those even class IV employess earned in Crores here.” They added.  

When contacted, Mohd Yousf, CEO Phalgam Development Authority assured that he will initiate action against the PIL violators.

“I have reframed the squads after attaching those employees who have allowed constructions in the past. I assure you that nobody will be allowed to violate the ban put by court.” CEO said.

It is worth to mention that, As per SRO 258 issued vide govt. Notification No. TSM/INC/78/ 2013 dated 16-05-2013 phalgam development authority has expanded its ban cover to nine villages which include, Movera, Veersern, Yaneer, Serchain, Gujaran Batkkot, Batakoot, Ganishpora, HurduKichroo and Amard Wargd partly, however despite ban construction are taking place in those areas.