Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 25: The High Court today directed for up-gradation and proper functioning of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) of Dal lake and setting up of proposed STPs expeditiously.
The directions were passed by Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey on a PIL for protection and preservation of Dal lake and other wetlands.
State Pollution Control Board, in its status report, has submitted that almost all the STPs of the lake are functioning beyond permissible limits.
Court directed the existing STPs be up-graded and the proposed two new STPs of 30 MLD capacity be set up expeditiously.
PCB stated that these STPs are functioning beyond permissible limits due to continuous flow of sewage in the lake. Sample taken earlier also revealed that all STPs are functioning beyond permissible limits.
Court said the guidelines for up-gradation of existing STPs are in place, and they should explore possibility for up-grading the existing STPs in tune with these guidelines.
Court with regard to demarcation of wetlands like Khusahl Sar, Anchar lake and Gilsar etc directed the authorities to get the survey of these wet lands and inform the Court with photographic evidence their position as on today.
VC LAWDA informed the court that the same could not be done as the concerned authorities (revenue) are not cooperating with regard to furnishing of data of these lakes.
Court directed the concerned DCs to cooperate with LAWDA and make available the requisite data to LAWDA so that the demarcation of these water bodies be carried without any further delay.
Court in this regard directed the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir to ensure the said exercise be done at an earliest and report be submitted before the court by or before next date.
Court said after the survey of these lakes is completed, LAWDA then shall ensure these lakes are protected.
For launching the 3D modeling of floor of the Dal lake, Court has been informed that the demo of 3D modeling has been done on October 14 and for permanent launching of 3D modeling the purchase requisite equipments are in place and as soon as the same are available, the work would be started on the project.
Court was also informed about the four lane project taken by R&B department along Boulevard and Foreshore road and some objections were raised with regard to affecting of ecology of the lake by this project and for the same purpose Environment Impact Assessment has been asked by the experts, which is still awaited and direction by the court will be passed thereafter.
Follow our WhatsApp channel