ILLEGAL MARKETS-NEED TO BE CHECKED

A large number of illegal and unorganized markets without any approved plan have come up in Jammu city and Surroundings risking the lives of inhabitants nearby. Though such markets can be seen at number of places but to cite few examples, two of such markets on both sides of roads by the sides of Nallah, one leading from Chowk towards Channi Himmat colony and other coming from Channi Himmat towards Ravail Singh Chowk. One of such market stands raised adjoining to a service station near Petrol pump over a residential plot located alongside the road leading towards Channi Himmat prior to railway overhead bridge. Approximately 90 shops in the shape of Kiosks (Khokhas) have been erected over the residential piece of land belonging to one Aditya Puri and his family and rented out to different vendors. These Kiosks are not temporary and have been raised in shop shapes in an unorganized manner, reportedly without any approved plan and hefty rent is being charged by the land owners from these vendors.
Earlier also in December 2021, the fire broke out at an illegal market in a plot in crossing near Trikuta nagar Ext.(Channi Bijan) coming from Channi Himmat towards Chowk. Though reportedly there was no loss or injury to any human life, a huge loss to property had been reported. As per reports in a plot owned by one Bhupinder Singh alias Neetu who resides nearby, a market had been raised in the shape of Kiosks (Khokha’s) and rented out to various vendors. The market popularly known as “Baghar Mandi” comprised of number of illegal shops mostly rented out to outsiders, out of which about 50 shops (Khokha’s) were completely burnt to ashes as were structured mostly on wood and tarpaulin and reportedly caught fire probably due to short circuiting in some shops. The fire engulfed rapidly the adjoining shops which were constructed congest idly. Reportedly the plot owner was earning a substantial amount in the shape of rent being charged ranging from Rs 100/- to Rs 200/- per day from the vendors.Thanks to almighty that being night time there was no causality and human loss, but such incidence should have acted as eye opener for concerned authorities concerned.
Now the question arises how these structures are being allowed to be raised on a residential plots in the heart of a posh residential areas, Whether the plot owners have obtained any permission for commercial use of the plot, as also if the structures are raised as per any site plan. Reportedly these shopkeepers have been provided electric facility also which is also required to be checked whether legal or illegal. It has also come to notice that plot owners claim to be depositing some fee in municipality showing these Kiosks to be temporary open selling points (Pharies) which is contrary to the reality on ground. No such cluster of Kiosks for commercial use cannot be raised without proper approved plan and permission from competent authority.
In fact the administration should take immediately take cognizance and enquire if such markets stand approved by Jammu Municipal Corporation and have been raised as per approved site plan and permission, also for what electric connections have been obtained, why no fire extinguishers have been installed in such densely raised Kiosks. If NOC’s have been obtained from JMC, Police, Fire Services and other concerned departments before raising such structures.
A video having detailed ground situation has been uploaded on face book page of VERACITY NEWS on 02-07-2023. Earlier this Newspaper had carried out detailed report in its Editorial dated 29th December 2021, mentioning therein that the incident must sound as an alarm for checking the growth of such markets before some major tragedy takes place and called upon concerned authorities to get out of slumber and act upon to check such markets as these can be seen at many places in the city. If not acted upon and action taken, there is every apprehension of a greater tragedy which can even involve loss of human lives and in such case the erring authorities who fail to check such illegal structures may also attract penal action against them.
But it is disheartening that in spite of having been cautioned no action seems to have been taken and it is again cautioned that if still the concerned authorities remain in deep slumber, there is every likely hood that a major tragedy may take place.