Fix roots of illegal constructions

The government has shared the figures in the House, stating that 1,425 residential and commercial structures across Jammu and Kashmir have been demolished since October 2024, with Srinagar accounting for the highest share. The figures signal a firm stance against encroachments and unauthorised constructions. However, the larger and more pressing question remains: how did these illegal structures come up in the first place? Illegal constructions do not emerge overnight. They require time, material, labour and in many cases, access to utilities such as electricity and water. This raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about oversight, enforcement and possible collusion. There are people who question that building permissions were bypassed. Were inspections not conducted? Or were violations ignored until they became too visible to overlook? If governance mechanisms were functioning effectively, such large-scale violations would have been detected and halted at inception. The absence of timely intervention points to systemic gaps that demand scrutiny. A credible, time-bound probe is essential to ascertain accountability, whether at the level of municipal bodies, revenue officials, or other regulatory authorities. The public must know whether these structures were residential homes of unsuspecting buyers, commercial establishments built in violation of norms, or encroachments on public land. Without clarity, demolition drives risk appearing selective or reactive rather than part of a comprehensive urban policy. Urban growth in J&K is accelerating. With expanding towns and increasing infrastructure projects, the need for robust planning and strict enforcement has never been greater. Preventive vigilance, digital monitoring of building permissions and strict action against erring officials are vital. True reform lies in strengthening institutions so that illegal structures never rise again.