Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 8: As the construction of hotels and guest houses continues in residential colonies of Nishat and its adjoining areas, the LWDA seems reluctant to act.
Local residents of Nishat, Shalimar, Brein and other areas allege that LAWDA officials are busy in minting money from influential people who are busy with construction of hotels in residential areas which are located around the famous Dal Lake . As per authentic information available with Early Times as many as 100 such illegal buildings have come up in the area from the last 2 years which is clear violation of Srinagar master plan as well as the orders of J&K High court.
Our ground reporter after visiting Nishat, Ishber, Dewaan Colony, Hamzah Hills, Banigam, Chandpora, Arabal, Breain, Pahloo and aother areas reported that illegal multi-storied hotel buildings have come up in these areas. Many buildings are still under construction . Inspite of getting complaints from locals and whistle-blowers these constructions have not been stopped by the LAWDA which clearly reveals that officials of LAWDA are in hand and glove with the rule breakers. Early Times had filed a detailed report on this issue in November last year but after many months this illegal practice has again started from last few months.
In addition to illegal constructions the LAWDA officials have also allegedly misappropriated huge funds which were meant for Dal and Nigeen lake Conservation Project. The J&K High Court on Wednesday directed Commissioner Secretaries of -Finance, Planning and Housing and Urban Development- to appear before it today to explain their conduct on various issues with regard to conservation of Dal lake.
Not satisfied over the latest status report send by LAWDA on the conservation of famous Dal Lake the division bench of Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey had sought presence of the three administrative secretaries some time back. The LAWDA in its status report had submitted that against the sanctioned project cost under National Lakes Conservation Project (NLCP ) for Dal and Nigeen lake conservation ,which was to be completed by March 2010, the Authority has received only Rs 248 crores until last year.
LAWDA further submitted that for the previous financial year (2014-2015) as well as for the current financial year it has not received any funding under National Lakes Conservation Programme (NLCP) . "By the end of the December 2010, only Rs 159. 44 Crores were provided while with a further release of Rs 99 crores during next three years till March 2014 the total amount released was 248 crores," LAWDA told high court. Against these releases, the Authority said, major works like Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP's) , Intermediate Pumping Stations, Sewerage network, afforestation works, silt control works, opening of the channels have been taken up and completed.
Inspite of receiving such a huge amount for construction of the STP's and other works , the STP's constructed at Brein Nishat and Habbak are defunct and the sludge is being carried in tankers and dumped near Shalimar foreshore road. Early Times has already exposed this illegal activity of LAWDA. The videos and photographs captured by some citizen journalists are lying with Early Times.
"We appeal Governor to seek an explanation from the LAWDA Vice Chairperson, as the authority is in complete mess. The STP's are not working , illegal commercial complexes are being constructed in every nook and corner of Nishat , Ishber , Gupt Ganga , Deewan Colony , Shalimar and other areas, " said a local resident of Nishat Mohammad Amin Mir. |
