Jaipur: The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has identified more than 700 allegedly encroaching structures in various colonies of Kho Nagoriyan following a major fire at a firecracker factory that brought attention to widespread unauthorised construction in the area.While JDA officials declined to disclose details of the survey or proposed action, sources said demolition notices are likely to be issued against the identified structures.“Most colonies in the Kho Nagoriyan area are either unapproved or have been approved at the urban camps organised by the previous Congress govt. There are a lot of irregularities and encroachments in these colonies. We cannot remove the entire colonies, but can flag a few structures to streamline the situation to some extent,” an official from the town planning department said.JDA enforcement wing DIG Anand Sharma said the survey report was still being compiled, and a decision on further action would be taken after the process is completed.Officials also said colonies, including Karim Nagar, where the fire occurred, were allegedly developed on land that was once an 18-bigha pond.“It is illegal to fill a pond. The water body was allegedly levelled with soil, debris, and waste before residential colonies came up. Neither the civic bodies nor the pollution control board took any steps at the time the construction was going on. To add on, the govt legitimised a few colonies by issuing pattas to the plot owners of these colonies,” another town planning official said.Officials said the growth of commercial activities, including those involving hazardous materials, within residential neighbourhoods has emerged as a major concern, particularly due to the lack of regular monitoring.Residents had earlier submitted complaints regarding encroachments in the area. The issue was also raised in the Assembly by MLA Kailash Verma, but no action was taken at the time by the JDA.
