Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 6: High Court today directed Government to accelerate the process for the demarcation of boundaries of three lakes in Srinagar that are worst affected by encroachments and pollution.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the Financial Commissioner of Housing Department to expedite the process of approval of Detailed Project Report (DPR) so that the project is executed at the earliest.
The demarcation of three lakes – Khushalsar, Gilsar and Anchar lake as also Rehi Arth (shifting place for Dal dwellers) and Brari Nambal Lagoon- has to be done by the LAWDA in compliance of court orders.
It is with regard to these three lakes, the affidavit of FC HUDD divulge that the proposal of LAWDA is in process and funds have been released to them to prepare a Detailed Project Report.
However, on the other hand VC LAWDA submitted that the DPRs about these three lakes have already been submitted to HUDD. “LAWDA has also submitted a proposal for Geo Synthetic Solution for delineating the boundaries of these lakes as also for Rakhi Arth and Brari Nambal. The proposal be also expedited”, DB said.
With regard to relocation of houseboats, Court has been informed that LAWDA has submitted a revised project report for entire Dal project which includes the relocation of houseboats to Dole Demb area and the cost for the whole project is estimated to the tune of Rs 1488 crores.
The project as per LAWDA is to be funded by the Central Government. Court said the State Government has to pursue this matter energetically so that the revised project report of LAWDA is examined and is executed.
Court has made it clear that the revised DPR and the process for implementation shall not come in the way of utilizing the funds which are already sanctioned and are available with LAWDA.
Court has been informed that out of Rs 29.60 crore which are already sanctioned for shifting of houseboats only Rs 8.40 crores have been released by H&UD Department and for that court said they should release the entire amount for the shifting of houseboats.
About the regularization of staff which is working on daily basis in LAWDA, it has been submitted that the proposal has been received in the H&UD Department in February this year and the case is under examination and would be finalized and may take some time. Court hoped the process is expedited and completed within eight weeks.
Court has registered the suggestion of amicus Z A Shah that the embankment of channels and Nallahs approaching to lake should be fortified to prevent the soil erosion so that this process is not repeated yearly as such court directed the LAWDA to prepare a DPR for strengthening the embankments of all Nallahs in flow channels and retention ponds.
As regards to peripheral springs, LAWDA in its status report indicated that survey has been conducted to 14 springs located in and around Dal and Nigeen lake and these springs have been identified at various places.
Court directed that further study be done so that it is clearly indicated as to whether the channels from these springs to the lake is clear of any encroachment or not. Court further added that if there are encroachments then specifically pin-point those locations.
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