HC warns contempt proceedings

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 14: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court expressed serious concern over the flouting of court orders regarding de-congestion of city centre of Srinagar by shifting a Taxi stand at Tourist Reception Centre and it warned the authorities of initiation of contempt proceedings against them if the court orders are not complied with.
The Division Bench Comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice MH Attar hearing a Public Interest titled Kashmir Consumer Forum Versus Commissioner Transport and others on traffic problems in Srinagar City warned the authorities of initiation of contempt proceeding against them in case court orders regarding shifting of the Taxi stand at TRC are not complied with and the sports ground is not handed over to the J&K Sports Council.
The High Court had ordered shifting of the TRC Taxi Stand in Srinagar and its decision was upheld by the Supreme Court.
On shifting of Sumo Stand and non compliance of court orders Amicus curie Advocate Javid Reshi moved an application before the court and the court issued notices that were accepted by Advocate Chashoo.
The shifting of Taxi Stand from TRC Srinagar will be heard by High Court on Monday next week and it asked the Secretary Sports Council to file his report regarding handing over of the Taxi Stand.
The Court also sought status report from Srinagar Development Authority regarding the solution to the problems of traffic congestion at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar and the adjacent Bus Stand. It directed that the experts from RITES INDIA LTD and SDA to attend the court on next hearing.
The Court directed:  “The solution to the problem may be found and report be submitted before this court. The experts from RITES INDIA LTD and SDA may also attend the hearing of the court on next date.”
The SDA Counsel Javed Iqbal highlighted that an expert agency- RITES INDIA LTD- has been contacted by SDA to find solutions to various problems due to the bus terminal at Pantha Chowk and related issues. He submitted that in this regard a letter has been sent to the said agency in March 2014 and response from them is awaited.
Court has been apprised that for decongestion of traffic at Pantha Chowk and the Bus Stand Pantha Chowk separate Exit points are required.
Court said: “We have already referred to the expert body like RITES and the matter needs to be discussed, so far as Exit and Entry points including many other issues are concerned, various orders have been passed by this court from time to time.”