Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Nov 21 (KINS):Bemina in Srinagar, once known for its well-planned residential areas and green spaces, is quickly turning into a busy commercial hub.
Despite being earmarked for housing under the Master Plan, a wave of unauthorized commercial activities has overtaken the area, raising alarms among residents and urban planners alike.
“Originally designed with distinct residential zones and designated spaces for minimal commercial activity, Bemina has witnessed an influx of shopping centers and other commercial establishments. Major arteries and sub-lanes, previously serene and residential, now teeming with unregulated businesses,” Mohmmad Aslam, a local resident told news agency KINS.
Local residents said that newly constructed commercial structures are sprouting across Bemina, blatantly violating building norms.
“In the past few years, dozens of illegal commercial spaces have come up, turning the once-peaceful colony into a chaotic marketplace,” another local resident familiar with the developments said.
Residents have repeatedly lodged complaints, urging authorities to curb these violations. However, they allege that enforcement agencies have been largely ineffective, issuing token notices with no concrete follow-up.
“We’ve complained several times about houses being rented out for commercial use, but beyond a few notices, no action has been taken,” said an aggravated local resident.
According to the Master Plan, each block and sector in the housing colony has provisions for small markets to cater to daily needs. Yet, the unchecked conversions have far exceeded this scope, creating a significant deviation from the plan.
Authorities, however, claim to face challenges in enforcing rules.
A senior SDA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that while enforcement agencies issue notices and attempt crackdowns, violators often resort to legal measures to secure stays.
“There is also laxity within enforcement departments, which complicates matters further,” the official told KINS.
This unchecked commercialization poses broader implications for the area. Beyond aesthetic degradation, it strains infrastructure, disrupts traffic, and undermines the very essence of planned urban living.
Residents fear that without immediate intervention, Bemina’s identity as a residential haven will be permanently lost.
While multiple reports have been prepared in the past to address these violations, no tangible action has followed.
With enforcement agencies seemingly locked in a blame game, residents of Bemina are left grappling with the consequences of urban mismanagement.(KINS)
