Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 19: The High Court today directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) for installation of common STP at the tourist resort so that sewage does not flow into river Sindh as untreated.
Court also directed the authorities to ensure proper management of solid waste and other non-biodegradable waste in and around the resort. Court in this regard directed the PCB to report it about the management of solid waste as also the water quality of resort. Court also directed the SHO to cooperate with the authorities.
Court directed the Building Operation Controlling Authority (BOCA) of SDA to expedite the process for finalization of Environment Assessment Plan (EAP) drafted for the resort so that its Master Plan is revisited.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed for this after the draft EAP was produced before the Court during proceedings in suo-moto cognizance taken by the Chief Justice about the unabated illegal constructions in and around Sonamarg tourist resort.
Court also directed the SDA to submit its report about general sewage treatment in Sonamarg. CEO Shabir Ahmad was present before the Court. He informed the Court that regular traffic on right side of (Srinagar-Leh) which leads to resort has been stopped. In alternative Poni-walas have been designated to board the tourist on the said stretch.
Court expressed its displeasure over the transfers of officials at the time when any direction is passed by the Court. “As and when we pass directions, Government changes the officials. We have noticed this tendency”, DB observed to AG.
The area where the directions can be passed in left side of the resort needs to be identified. Court in this connection directed the authorities to place the same before the court on next in shape of maps.
The orders have been passed in a petition relating to illegal construction on the banks of river Sindh. The said petition was filed by an advocate and court has observed that in wake of alarming condition of Sonamarg the instant petition is treated as suo moto proceedings taken by the court in order to save the resort before it become a concrete jungle.
Court also sought a complete status report from the authorities indicating there-in as to what action has been taken in protecting Sonamarg. “The concerned also state as to whether any construction has taken place on the banks of river Sindh”.
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