Pahalgam 01 Feb (KNB): RTI has revealed shocking irregularities surrounding Hotel Hilltop in Pahalgam, Kashmir, exposing its continued operations despite an expired registration and large-scale land encroachment. The findings raise serious concerns about administrative oversight and potential corruption within regulatory bodies.
Originally registered in 2012 under the name Hotel Pineview by Ajaz Ahmad, the hotel’s registration expired on March 31, 2020, and has yet to be renewed. Despite this, the establishment has continued to operate without any apparent legal repercussions.
Sources suggest that a fire at the Pahalgam Tourist Office in 2014 destroyed key documents, enabling the hotel to exploit gaps in record-keeping and function without proper authorization.
Official revenue records indicate that Hotel Hilltop legally owns just 2 Kanals and 20 Marlas of land. However, investigations reveal extensive illegal encroachment, including protected forest areas. Further compounding these violations, the hotel has been operating without valid pollution control clearance since 2015, flouting regulations set by the Jammu & Kashmir State Pollution Control Board.
Despite these blatant infractions, authorities—including the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department, Pollution Control Board, Revenue Department, and the Pahalgam Development Authority—have failed to take any decisive action. Their inaction has allowed the hotel’s illegal expansion to continue unchecked.
“This is not just about one hotel; it’s about safeguarding Kashmir’s tourism industry and fragile ecosystem,” said a concerned local. “Authorities must enforce the law uniformly to maintain the region’s integrity.”
The locals demand urgent intervention to prevent further environmental damage and ensure accountability within the tourism sector.(KNB)