Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 8: High Court before implementation of the Master Plan for Srinagar City has sought suggestions and objections from all the stakeholders and said the implementation of the same be considered in light of those suggestions and objections.
The direction has been passed by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal after the Senior Counsel Faisal Qadri informed the court that the Master Plan-2035 has been placed on record the same may be accepted by the court and the direction be passed for its implementation.
The court, however, before its implementation has sought suggestions and objections from all the stakeholders including Lakes Conservation Management Authority (LCMA) as the court was hearing the Public Interest Litigation with regard to protection and conservation of Dal Lake.
“The implementation of the Master Plan shall be considered by the Court on the next date in the light of the suggestions/objections received”, read the order.
Meantime, the Amicus Curiae and senior advocate Z A Shah has suggested having all the PILs concerning water bodies together rather than having them separately so as a holistic view of the matter.
The aforesaid proposal was opposed by the LCMA citing that it may not be convenient to deal with all the PIL’s together and that PIL for each Water Body may continue to be dealt with independently. “Be as it may be, we are not expressing any opinion on the above suggestion at this point of time and leave it open to be considered on the next occasion, if necessary”, Court said.
The LCMA counsel has pressed for an application wherein it has requested to grant approval to the guidelines and policy framed for the purposes of grant of permission for the repairs and renovation of the existing buildings and structures falling within 200 meters of the Dal Lake.
“Let suggestions and objections be filed in regard to the aforesaid policy by the Amicus Curiae or any other stakeholder. The said application and the policy shall be placed for consideration on the next date”, Court directed.
Court in respect of all other applications seeking permission for repairs and renovations directed LCMA to file response if any, so that those applications may be considered on the next occasion.
The court in July 2020 highlighted the major issues and as many as nine points were formulated which are required to be dealt with in the instant PIL. Court today said that some more issues and points were added subsequently and asked the Amicus Curiae and the counsel for the LCMA to point out any other issue(s) which may have been left out so that the same may also be added. “We would like the LAWDA to come out with a vision plan in respect of all the issues as soon as possible after the Master Plan is accepted/approved”, Court directed.
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