Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 29: The High Court today directed the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to submit a project report on Dal lake.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice V C Koul appreciated the work done by the LAWDA and expected that it proceeds ahead on the lines of the scheme and concentrates on the deweeding, dredging and stopping of flow of all drains and waste effluents into the Dal.
Court reiterated that LAWDA should also take effective steps to ensure that there is no encroachment and that all unauthorized constructions are duly dealt with in accordance with law and are removed as soon as possible.
With regard to the inlet and outlet of the lake, Court directed a further report be submitted before the next date of hearing.
“Steps may also be taken to check the discharge of waste and effluents from the houseboats into the Dal and if necessary either bio-degradable tanks or floating sewage tanks be arranged for each houseboat subject to payment of some charges as may be deemed fit”.
Court directed the LAWDA not to only involve SMC, but also coordinate with the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) and sought the project report as submitted before the Court be supplied to the Smart City Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL).
“We direct the impleadment of Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) as one of the respondents and the notice of this petition may be given to it so as to have its valuable inputs”, the DB directed.
In order to check further encroachment in the Dal area and to maintain its existing size, the court had suggested for having a ring road all around the lake. It was also suggested that Ghats in existence be properly maintained and parking facilities be developed.
The Court has also directed for the preparation of a list of all drains or nallas flowing into Dal, so that, immediate steps may be taken to stop the flow of affluent into the lake and for the treatment of the sewage water.
“It may be pertinent to note that there is an inlet or there may be several such sources through which the lake receives water throughout the year, and there is also an outlet” court said adding with “This inlet and outlet provides the lake with clean water and helps in the outflow/overflow the waste or excess water”.
Court felt it necessary to maintain these inlets and outlets in proper condition and to remove all obstacles, if any, from such sources and outsources.
LAWDA was accordingly directed to draw a complete scheme for the management and development of the Dal and the area around it in coordination with the various departments and to submit the same to the Court.
In pursuance to this , the LAWDA has filed a compliance report with the affidavit of its Vice Chairman, bringing on record the scheme for the management and development of the lake.
In pursuance thereof, Vice Chairman, LAWDA with other officials have shown the entire project to the court which they envisaged would be necessary for the preservation and development of the Lake on screen to us.
The Vice Chairman has presented the scheme on the screen and has shown the court various proposals essentially with regard to the construction of the ring road, Sewage Treatment Plants and places of parking etc.
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