Ajay Sharma
Sunderbani, November 29: In a shocking development, major roads in Rajouri district are allegedly being encroached and illegal constructions taking place under the nose of administration.
According to sources, authorities are allegedly allowing large-scale illegal constructions and encroachments on vital public roads built under the Public Works Department (PWD) and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Sources said that Devak–Hathal Road in Sunderbani, maintained by PWD, particularly the stretch from Letar to Hathal and Makol–Nahot-Barnara–Bhatadala–Thandapani Road, maintained under PMGSY are witnessing huge construction of concrete structure.
“Day by day, these roads are being encroached up by illegal constructions,” sources said, adding “Shops and houses are coming up right on the roadside, leaving no space for future widening.”
They alleged that the core issue lies in the blatant omission of mandatory No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from PWD and PMGSY while granting Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions.
“Applicants take NOCs from 8–10 departments, including the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in some cases, but the names of PWD and PMGSY are conspicuously missing,” the sources claimed. “How can CLU be approved without clearance from the very departments that own and maintain these roads?”
“There is clear political pressure on some officers,” the sources alleged. “Officers privately admit they are under compulsion, but rules must be above influence.”
Sources pointed out that government rules clearly mandate a minimum distance of 40 to 75 feet from the road edge for any construction, precisely to allow future expansion.
“Once permanent structures come up, how will four-laning or widening ever happen?” sources asked, adding that concerned authorities of Rajouri and Reasi, Chief Secretary and Lieutenant Governor must intervene and issue immediate directive making PWD and PMGSY NOCs compulsory before any CLU is approved.
