Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 15: High Court today directed the Director Sports to file an affidavit mentioning why two huts have not been dismantled and why Sumos are being allowed to operate from Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar.
A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Hasnain Masoodi while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Kashmir Consumer Welfare Forum on regulation of traffic system in the City passed this direction.
The direction was passed after the amicus advocate Javad Hussain Reshi submitted that earlier Sumos were operational from the place carved out from Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council’s land and said that despite the court directions for shifting the Sumo Stand to Pantha Chowk two huts are existing there.
Over the suggestion made regarding fixing the entry point of the bus stand while coming from Anantnag to Srinagar near mosque at Pantha Chowk, the Advocate General M I Qadri submitted that a team comprising Superintending Engineer, SDA, Superintending Engineer, PWD, SP Traffic and SHO concerned was constituted so as to suggest whether fixing the entry point, the Bus stand will be made fully operational and it will ease out the congestion.
The respondents’ counsel submitted that fencing of Sports Stadium is in progress for which some funds have been released and some are yet to be released and the process of fencing will be completed at an earliest. The court directed Sports Department to file a report by or before the next date of hearing.
About the status of Pantha Chowk Bus terminal, the Srinagar Development Authority in compliance of earlier court direction apprised the court that no hawker or raidawala is presently inside the bus terminal and in case anyone is found it is removed immediately and use of a bus for selling tea etc., has been stopped.
The construction of walling and fencing of bus stand is in process. Regarding relocation of the workshops, SDA sought some time so as to enable them to have expert advice for ensuring rehabilitation of shopkeepers.
The Commissioner Transport in its compliance report stated that for monitoring any wrong entry of mini-buses to respective routes, orders have been issued by RTO, Kashmir, to Chief Inspector Board of Inspection for keeping constant vigil.
The court directed amicus curie and all other interested to file their response in this back drop and also directed the SDA to file its latest status report regarding the steps taken in light of direction issued in September last year.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel