Jammu, Apr 2: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Assembly that a total of 233 illegal commercial and residential structures have been identified in Jammu city over the past 13 months. Of these, 122 are residential, 107 are commercial, and four fall under mixed residential‑commercial use.
Authorities said 64 commercial structures operating in violation of building norms were sealed between July 2025 and February 2026, while nearly 61 illegal commercial units have been demolished since October 2024 for functioning without proper authorisation and against prescribed regulations. Separate data on unauthorised community halls, banquet halls, and similar establishments is not maintained by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), the government added.
Actions against all unauthorised constructions are being taken under the relevant building bye‑laws and the COBO Act, 1988. A writ petition filed in 2010 by banquet‑hall owners remains pending before the High Court, which had directed that such establishments should not be closed until further orders.
On parking violations, the government said a complaint was received regarding unauthorised collection of parking charges at a JDA lot near the RTO office in Narwal. An FIR has been directed against the accused, and so far no case of contractors allowing parking beyond sanctioned capacity has been reported; strict action will be taken if any such violation comes to light.
Disciplinary action has been initiated against several erring officials, including warnings, red entries, suspensions, and transfers. Two JDA officials have been suspended and one shifted from the Enforcement Wing for inefficiency, while red entries have also been made in the service records of Pankaj Sambyal and Romesh Kumar for alleged encroachment of JDA land in Jammu South.
