Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 2: High Court has directed the Building Operations Controlling Authority (BOCA) of Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) to consider the application for construction and renovation of dilapidated structures of the Army in view of the security of the nation.
The Ministry of Defence moved an application for allowing to complete the existing stalled projects and for carrying out fresh constructions of MES defence works in military establishments of the Sonamarg and High-Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Sonamarg.
The Ministry submitted before the court that the constructions in respect of the dilapidated structures and new construction are required for operation and training of the forces including providing accommodation for own and foreign officers and troops along with the allied infrastructure at Sonamarg in phases.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal after considering the fact said the issue pertains to the defence and security of the nation and the matter has been remitted to the BOCA for grant of necessary permission.
Court directed the BOCA to accordingly do the needful for grant of permission to the Army in order to enable them to make necessary repair/fresh construction in accordance with the norms, as applicable.
It has been submitted by counsel for the applicant that they have already approached the BOCA authorities. “The authorities shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders keeping in mind the strategic significance and security of the nation, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one month from today”, DB directed.
The counsel for Army submitted that the application is being filed for the purpose of permitting the Army to carry out the fresh constructions and also for stalled projects which could not be concluded due to ban by the court vide its order dated 27.3.2023.
The applicant added that due to harsh weather conditions, nobody inhibit these places but the troops have to maintain vigil on the borders and also to ensure that no cross-border infiltration takes place and the troops are stationed for the purpose of deployment here to counter insurgency as the entire Sonamarg is critical area being close to LoC as such the Army be permitted to create and carry out fresh constructions for creating necessary accommodations and allied structures for catering the officers and troops and the officers of the friendly foreign countries.
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