Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 3: High Court today rapped the Government over lackadaisical approach on road widening from Dalgate to Hazratbal and sought personal appearance of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and Chief Engineer R&B in case they fail to inform the Court about its progress.
Hearing PIL on road widening from Dalgate to Hazratbal, the division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe expressed serious concern over the pace of work on the said project by the authorities as the Court has been informed that the projects had been started in 2009-2010 and the authorities are still in land acquisition progress.
R&B counsel submitted before the Court that the department is short of funds as nearly Rs 356 crores are required and only Rs 61 crores have been received so far. He on behalf of the Chief Engineer referred to lack of funds for the initiation of acquisition process.
Court expressed it anguish on Deputy Commissioner Srinagar who, as per the court directions was supposed to submit the details of acquisition and time line for completion of land acquisition.
Court had already observed the report of Chief Engineer PWD as deficient and he was directed to file an affidavit indicating therein 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 which he did not as such court directed him to be personally present before the court in case he fails to submit such details.
Court has also rapped the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, who is stated to be the land acquiring authority and was directed to provide specific details of the steps taken for acquisition, 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.
However, Court today termed his report as deficient and not in tune with earlier directions, as such, he has been directed to submit these details or be present in the court on next date of hearing.
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