Commercial construction rises in residential area despite approved residential site plan; locals cry foul against favoritism and corruption in JMC’s Enforcement Wing
· If unauthorized constructions are allowed to continue unchecked, our zonal planned colonies will inevitably transform into a concrete jungle, leading to chaos and confusion. What were once designed as residential areas will morph into commercial hubs, with no regard for infrastructure, safety and quality of life.
· Take swift action to demolish unauthorized constructions and prevent further violations. Implement a transparent and efficient system for approving building plans and monitoring constructions. The time to act is now! Let us work together to ensure that our cities remain planned, safe, and livable for future generations.
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has once again failed to stop unauthorized construction, this time at Plot-120, Sector-1, EWS Colony, Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu (Ward-62), owned by Smt. Indu Bharti, daughter of Jai Pal Sharma and wife of Mukesh Sharma. Despite having obtained approval for a residential site plan from JMC vide Application No. JMC/2024/8768 dated 04/12/2024, the owner has blatantly violated the approved plan by raising a commercial construction with the alleged help of the concerned enforcement staff.
According to approved site plan, the Plot Size was : 7.62 X 15.24 Mt and Plot Area: 116.12 Sqm. As per approved site plan, the owner was allowed Ground Coverage Area: 73.03% with Residential New ground Floor-84.81 Sqm, Residential New Floor-1, 77.02 Sqm, Residential New Floor-2, 77.02 Sqm with FAR: G+2, Maximum Height: 10.06 Mt. The owner was duty bound to observe setbacks including Front: 2.59 Mt, Setback Rear: 1.52 Mt. But the owner contrary to raising residential construction as per residential approved site plan started raising commercial construction with the help of concerned enforcement staff deputed in the area and successfully raised three commercial floors including plaster work and also white washing as well without maintain setbacks both front and backside.
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The owner has raised three commercial floors, including plaster work and white washing, without maintaining the approved setbacks on both the front and backside.A small iron shutter has been installed on the ground floor entry to access the upper floors.A signboard/flex under the name and style “Kavya The Flowers Shop” has been put up on the ground floor, clearly indicating the commercial use of the property.Despite the aggrieved locals bringing the unauthorized construction to the notice of the concerned enforcement staff, no action has been taken. This inaction speaks volumes about the working style of the enforcement staff and raises serious questions about their sincerity in safeguarding the guidelines of JMP-2032 under UBBL-2021 and JMC Act 2000.
Aggrieved locals have urged the JMC Commissioner to take immediate action against the unauthorized construction and ensure that the property is brought in conformity with the approved site plan. The enforcement staff should be held accountable for their failure to enforce the law and prevent unauthorized constructions. They have demanded immediate demolition of the unauthorized construction, action against the concerned enforcement staff for their failure to enforce the law. They urged the concerned authorities to ensure that all constructions in the city are carried out in accordance with the approved site plans and building bye-laws.The people of Jammu demand a safe and well-planned city, and it is the responsibility of the JMC to ensure that the law is enforced in letter and spirit.
It seems JMC is unaware of consequences of unauthorized constructions which will result in overburdened infrastructure badly affecting Sewage systems, water supply and roads will be stretched beyond capacity, leading to frequent breakdowns and disruptions. Unauthorized constructions often disregard building codes and safety norms, putting residents and users at risk of accidents and disasters.The loss of green spaces and increased construction activity will exacerbate air and noise pollution, further deteriorating the quality of life.Zonal planning will become meaningless as commercial activities encroach upon *residential areas, leading to confusion and chaos.
To prevent this scenario, it is imperative that the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) takes immediate action to ensure that all constructions adhere to the Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL) 2021 and the Jammu Municipal Corporation Act 2000.Take swift action to demolish unauthorized constructions and prevent further violations. Implement a transparent and efficient system for approving building plans and monitoring constructions. The time to act is now! Let us work together to ensure that our cities remain planned, safe, and livable for future generations.
