Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 3: The High Court today directed the authorities to place the Master Plan of Gulmarg before the next Cabinet meeting and its outcome before the Court on next date of hearing.
The direction has been passed after the court was informed that the next Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held on 6th of this month. The court directed the authorities to place the Master Plan before the Cabinet and inform the court about its outcome by next date.
In its previous direction, court had directed Chief Secretary to file affidavit on behalf of him about the steps taken so far in drafting the Master Plan and its finalization for the tourist resort.
The earlier report of CEO GDA reflected that the final presentation of the Master Plan was made before the Chief Minister in the month of June last year and as on date and the approval of it by the Cabinet is awaited.
Court also sought complete picture of Gulmarg by way of Map delineating therein total extent of area, as the total area of the resort given by the authorities has not impressed the court with the observation that the same is not correct.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey on use of polythene and plastic material in and around the resort, said it is already banned but the dump-age of these things has been found despite ban. In this regard, court directed Municipal Committee of Gulmarg (MCG) to ensure strict compliance on ban of these things in the area.
J&K State Cable Car Corporation has been directed to ensure that while using Gandola by the people they should be checked properly so as to prevent them from taking any kind of polythene or plastic item along with up Kangdoori or Afarwat areas.
Court has also been apprised about the functioning of STPs installed in the hotels and out of 23 hotels 15 have been found to be violating the norms and court directed the PCB to ensure that the norms be fully complied and STP be made functional by the hotliers.
With regard to installation of common STP court has been informed that it is under process and Detailed Project Report DPR) has been prepared by the GDA. “Status of the said DPR be filed by next date”, Court said.
Court also sought report on quality of the water in the resort and in this connection directed the authorities (PCB) to conduct analysis of water from every month.
Secretary Tourism has been directed to come up with the proposal for disposal of biodegradable solid waste as also its recycling and directed the GDA as well as MCG to ensure the segregation of solid waste under and in terms of rules.
Previously court had directed the Forest Department to file an affidavit indicating therein demarcation of forest area but no affidavit has been filed. Court directed them to do the same by next date.
Army has filed an application for renovation of their hutments which as per their contention have caused damages due to winter snowfall. Court in this connection directed the Judge’s Committee to visit the spot and report the court about the facts.
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