Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 3: Observing that the report of Public Works Department about the proposal of road widening and acquisition process is deficient, High Court has directed the Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Kashmir to submit an affidavit indicating the dates with time line, approvals and acquisition of land for widening purpose.
The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Gita Mittal in a Public Interest litigation complaining therein the unwarranted delay in making the road widening from Dalgate to Hazratbal, sought an affidavit from Chief Engineer Public Works Department mentioning therein time line of road widening projects as also the proposals of road widening.
Court after perusal of the status report filed by the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) Kashmir recorded that the same is hopelessly deficient and gives no dates as well. “The Chief Engineer shall, on affidavit, set-out the dates with time lines with regard to all the matters including approval of the proposal of road widening; the necessary steps for the purpose and the current status including the date wise steps taken in the acquisition process”, reads the Court order.
The Chief Engineer also has referred to lack of funds for the initiation of acquisition process. Court with regard to the acquisition of land for the purpose of road widening directed the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, who happens to be the land acquiring authority to give specific details of the steps taken for acquisition.
Court also directed the DC Srinagar to detail out before the court, the release of compensation and taking-over of possession of the required land as well as the status of the fund availability towards compensation which is payable.
Court has recorded that the practice of Governments Department in filing of objections, status reports, compliance reports or other pleadings are without mentioning of dates on these documents as such directed the registry not to accept any such kind of undated documents from any department or other private party.
Meantime, other respondents in the case have been directed to positively file their status reports within three weeks.
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