Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 26: High Court today expressed its dis-satisfaction over the approach adopted by the State Pollution Control Board in undertaking the process of analyzing the water sampling in Dal lake.
The Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice M K Hanjura directed the Regional Director State Pollution Control Board to explain on affidavit as to what steps he had taken on registering the directions passed by this court.
“Besides he shall ensure sampling of water for its analyzing from all the identified areas around the springs within a week’s time and submit report before the Registrar Judicial of this Court”, DB directed.
With regard to procurement of machinery, State counsel has been permitted to place on record the status filed by the Housing and Urban Development Department.
Perusal of the status report reveals that the proposal submitted by the VC Chairman, Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority, for procurement of machinery equipment has been examined by the Housing Department and on examination, it was placed before High Level Committee with reference to taking decision for procuring the equipment, but the Committee, it is submitted, has further decided to submit the entire issue for decision before the State Cabinet.
Vice Chairman, LAWDA, who was present in the court, submitted that the decision has been taken for ensuring procurement of the equipment by utilizing the service of globally recognized expert. “Let the decision with reference to the Procuring Machinery equipment be placed on record with further progress on the next date”, court directed.
In terms of previous order, the Court had asked for completion of work with reference to installation of log booms with wire mesh of reduced poor size as suggested in the 4th SAC meeting.
Perusal of the status report filed today reveals that maximum portion of the work stands completed and the remaining shall be completed as undertaken by the LAWDA before next date of hearing.
Court said the de-weeding operations carried by the LAWDA were not specifically mentioned in the manner in which the de-weeding operation is conducted. The Court in the previous orders had desired that the matter shall be discussed in the 5th SAC meeting.
VC submitted that the 5th SAC was scheduled to be held on December 13 and simultaneously the Monitoring Committee also scheduled the meeting on the same date. However, the meeting of SAC was deferred and is now scheduled within next ten days. “The compliance of direction with reference to de-weeding operations under ‘controlled manner’ shall be filed in the next status report before the next date”, court directed.
With regard to process initiated for studying of Environmental Impact Assessment in respect of the Western Foreshore Road and four Lanning of Boulevard Road, is stated to be in progress.
In terms of previous orders, authorities were asked to detail out the effect of retrieval of 56 springs, it is stated that 56 springs which are on the periphery of the lake and the water from these springs find its way into the lake thus adding fresh water, though the quantity is meagre.
“Annalistic report shows that the water quality is within permissible limits, however, no permissible limit is shown with respect to ammonical nitrogen, ortho phosphate, same be filed on next date”, Court directed.
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