Srinagar, July 7: The much hyped Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at Nowgam, constructed at a cost of over Rs 12 crore and inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is an illegal construction, which has come up in the restricted Green Belt, an area where no buildings are supposed to be built.
 This means, for the construction of TRC, started in the previous Congress led coalition, all norms pertaining to building constructions, including Srinagar Master Plan were thrown to wind by those at the helm of affairs.
 With this being the alleged government callousness towards City’s much required systematic development, the wrong doings at the hands of others can only be imagined.

THE GREEN BELT VIOLATION   
 As per the Srinagar Master Plan (2001-2021), the area on the two sides of the national highway bypass between Nowgam and Athwajan Chowk has been designated a Green Belt where no construction can take place.
 This area in the past used to serve as Srinagar’s flood basin. But over the years the government allowed land filling and construction of commercial buildings allegedly by influential people in the area.
 And in doing so, it seems to have forgotten to take norms into consideration even while constructing the much hyped TRC.

THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE
 The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), custodian of the Master Plan, has woken up to the TRC illegal construction –shooting a show cause notice to the Tourism Department.
 Official documents reveal that it’s for the second time that the SDA has served a notice to the Tourism people. “Whereas, you were served with show cause notice vide this office No: SDA/DD/EE/1474 dated: 21/12/2011, but you have failed to comply,” reads a copy of the latest notice served by SDA’s Deputy Director Enforcement vide order no SDA/DD/E&M/211-14 dated July 6.
 “Whereas, during the inspection, it was observed that you have deviated/violated the Master Plan. Whereas, the contravention made severely effects the planned development of Srinagar City and violates the zoning regulations,” adds the notice, a copy of which lies with Greater Kashmir.
 The SDA has warned of action against the accused department. “Whereas, the Srinagar development Authority has the authority to proceed against you under section-12 of the Act, it is prima-fascia established that you have miserably failed to submit yourself to the jurisdiction of law and have carried on the erection/re-erection of structure in total disregard to the provision of Master Plan,” the notice observes.
  “Now one more opportunity is given to you to show cause the illegal/un-authorized structure raised by you within a period of seven days from the date of issuance of this notice. In case of failure on your part to comply, the department will initiate action under legal proceedings against you,” the SDA has maintained while directing the Tourism Department “to furnish the following documents within three days positively.”
 According to sources, SDA has also shot a notice to the Northern Railways for raising “illegal” structures in the vicinity.

TRENDING VIOLATIONS
 The ruling coalition seems to be throwing to winds the Master Plan and building permission norms in the City, which fetched it all the eight Assembly seats in the last elections.
 The upcoming skewed bridge across Jhelum, which is feared to be disastrous for City’s    sole heritage walkway The Bund apart from being a risk for the Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, is also illegal while the government pleads that Master Plan violation “wasn’t that big issue.”

THE VIOLATION CELEBRATION
 Two years back on December 5 amidst high security and traditional Sufiana music, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the state-of-the-art Tourist Reception Centre at Nowgam.
 The TRC’s first phase of violation, as per officials spreads over 30 kanals of land.
 Constructed near the Srinagar Railway Station, the Tourism department projects it as a “blend of blend of colonial era and Kashmiri architecture having all the facilities for the tourists ranging from reservation counters to currency exchange under one roof.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST