Srinagar, May 4: A pileup of Change in Land Use (CLU) cases at the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) has emerged as a major roadblock for development activities in the summer capital.
CLU clearances are crucial for obtaining building permissions as per the Srinagar Master Plan, which demarcates land usage across different zones.
For past months now, these critical cases have remained pending with the Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), who has been given the additional charge of VC SDA.
“The inordinate delay in disposal of CLU cases has not only stalled numerous construction projects but also caused immense inconvenience to the public and led to potential revenue losses for the government exchequer.”
The Srinagar Master Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for the city’s urban development, earmarks specific land usage for residential, commercial, industrial, and other purposes. Any deviation from the designated land use requires the mandatory CLU approval from the SDA before building permissions can be granted.
However, the inordinate delay in processing CLU applications has left aspiring entrepreneurs, property owners, and the general public in a quandary, with their projects and plans stuck in limbo.
“My commercial complex has been stuck for several months now due to the pendency of the CLU case. Despite repeated follow-ups, there has been no progress,” rued a local businessman, requesting anonymity. “Such bureaucratic lethargy is not only hampering development but also causing financial losses for stakeholders.”
The situation has also given rise to concerns over potential revenue losses for the government. Delayed clearances translate into postponed project commencements, resulting in a subsequent delay in the collection of taxes and fees associated with construction activities.
Despite repeated attempts over the last several days, VC SDA did not respond to calls for his comments on the issue.