Srinagar Feb 22: The High Court today asked the commissioner secretary J&K Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) to appear before court for unwarranted delay in finalizing solid waste management (SWM) plan for Sonamarg hill station.
The direction ensued an information submitted before the court that the draft action plan on SWM for Sonamarg is pending before Commissioner Secretary HUDD for finalization since the direction was passed on the issue in 2018.
The court was also informed that the Department was supposed to put the plan in public domain for suggestions and objections before its finalization.
Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on conservation and protection of Sonmarg hill station, a division bench of Justices Ali Mohammad Magrey and Sanjeev Kumar directed the Commissioner Secretary to remain present on next hearing before the court with updated status about the action plan on SWM.
The court observed that since October 2018 when the direction was passed by the court for revised Master Plan, comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment and SWM for Sonamarg, no progress was shown about the action plan.
“Ensure court orders are implemented in letter and spirit and remain present before the court next date”, the court directed the Commissioner Secretary HUDD.
With regard to comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment, the court has been informed that the appraisal report has been completed. The concerned officer in charge Kashmir division has been asked to take steps for revision of existing Master Plan for Sonamarg in view of observations of the court.
The High Court in its previous hearing barred the State Tribunal as well as subordinate courts from “compounding” structures coming up illegally in and around the Sonamarg.
The directions followed reports that the Tribunal has been passing the orders and compounding the illegal structures which are defeating the objective of the case.
On 22 Aug 2017, the High Court had revived a PIL which it had already disposed off, and ordered that no construction activity be carried out in Sonamarg.
