Illegal Construction In Green Belt Areas Of Kashmir newsclick.in

More than sixty days after the abrogation of Article 370—which took the statehood away from Jammu and Kashmir—illegal construction is picking up pace in the region. Locals from Srinagar have alleged that builders are taking advantage of the lockdown and are starting construction in the green belt areas—where it is prohibited. The residents said that the construction activities have been initiated without paying any heed to the legal formalities.

Fayaz Mir, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said, “We have heard of this taking place; however, with the lockdown, we are not able to politically respond to this situation. This needs to be immediately stopped, but with no mechanism in place, that task is becoming exceedingly difficult and vested interests are using the situation for their benefit.”