Srinagar, Oct 15: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the government to update the status regarding the steps taken for removal of encroachments from Doodh Ganga Nalla in Srinagar and for preventing the water of Nalla from pollution.
The court directed the concerned government authorities and government departments to update the status in the matter within four weeks.
A division bench of the court was hearing a suo-moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the court after a news report published in Greater Kashmir alleged the apathy on part of the government officials in maintaining the safety and purity of drinking water source of the stream.
Earlier in March, 2022, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a penalty of Rs three crore on J&K government for its “acknowledged failure” in preventing pollution in Doodh Ganga river.
“The state is accordingly held liable to pay interim compensation of Rs. One crore each under all the three heads which may be deposited in a separate account to be utilized for restoration of the environment. The amount may be deposited with the District Magistrate, Budgam and spent as per plan approved by the Chief Secretary,” reads the order issued by the Principal bench of NGT.
The news report had alleged apathy of the concerned government officials to the pollution of the water of Nalla Doodhganga, especially at the spot the Water Filtration Plant situated at Kralapora in Tehsil Chadoora, District Budgam, which supplies potable water to lakhs of consumers in the Districts of Budgam and Srinagar, and specifying the various factors contributing to such pollution of the water above Kralapora, upstream upto the river source.
It was also reported that the concerned authorities were simply shifting their responsibilities.
The court had observed that the content of the news report depicts prevalence of a grave situation all over the course of the Nalla, from its source to the Walter Filtration Plant, in the shape of health hazardous materials of sorts and pollutants being lead into, thrown and dumped in the water course or its Banks, risking not only the public hygiene, environment and ecology of the Nalla, but also the usefulness of the installation in question.
“The alarming situation cannot be described and brought home to the concerned, but by the content of the news report itself,” the bench had said.
Meanwhile, the bench appointed Shakir Haqani as an amicus curiae in the matter after the previous amicus failed to appear before it.
The court directed the respondents to deposit an amount of Rs. 50,000 with the Registry of this Court.
“Out of the deposited amount, Mr. ShaqirHaqani,
learned Amicus shall be paid Rs. 5000 for each hearing,” the court said while fixing the matter for hearing on November, 23, 2022.
