Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 12: High Court has directed the Finance Department to ensure availability of funds on priority basis for installation of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and Filtration Plant in Royal Spring Golf Course in order to prevent polluted discharge from the Golf Course into Dal Lake.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Puneet Gupta has been informed that a consultant has been hired for framing the detailed project report (DPR) with the consultation of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) which is under process for further submission to the Administrative Department for installation of STP as well as a Filtration Plan for the Golf Course.
The DB said these installations are imperative to prevent the effluent which discharges from the Golf Course and flows into the Dal Lake as such the project deserves priority. “The Finance Department shall ensure that requisite priority to the availability of funds for this work is accorded”, DB directed.
The direction to FD followed after the court has been informed that the work on the project for installation of STP and Filtration Plant has been evaluated at the cost of Rs 30 lakh and both would be installed as soon as the funds as required are received.
Secretary of the Golf Course also informed the Court that it uses environmentally safe fertilizers as directed by the court and recommended by the CoEs. For laying of Sewer Line and setting up of STPs and the approach road, the court observed that it appears that pursuant to the NIT issued by the LAWDA, the allotment of work is under process as letter of intent in this connection has also been issued. Court directed the LAWDA to ensure that the work is completed within the time schedule fixed for the same.
With regard to Tourism Policy, Court has been apprised that complaint made by the PCB with regard to the effluent sample collected at the Island Park showing poor water quality.
The Director Tourism has reported that the detailed project report (DPR) stands prepared in consultation with the authorities of the PCB for installation of Effluent Treatment Plant of the capacity of 5 KLD at Nehru Park, Srinagar at the cost of Rs 5.99 lakhs and the project would be completed within one month as the DPR is pending with the Administrative Department for authorization and release of funds.
Court directed the Administrative Department of the Tourism to ensure that the needful is done and this project is undertaken and completed at the earliest and the action taken report in this regard be place before the court on next date.
As regards to De-weeding in the lake, it is reported by the LAWDA that the newly procured de-weeding machines are working exceptionally well. Court has also been informed that the installation of six hull based Bio-digesters on Houseboats could be installed. However, two houseboats could not be fitted with the bio-digesters because of technical reasons.
Follow our WhatsApp channel