STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal on Tuesday observed that on April 21, 2015 Divisional Commissioner, Jammu was directed to file the latest status report in the matter of delay in execution of two of the mega projects i.e. construction of Artificial Lake and Rope-way from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort in Jammu. Further observing that the said status report has not been filed till date, the DB directed to file the status report well before the next date of hearing and in default, Divisional Commissioner Jammu will have to appear in person and explain delay and disobedience.
The direction came in response to a PIL filed by Inderjeet Khajuria, President All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association countering State Government’s tall claims about taking all possible measures to make Jammu city a place of tourist attraction.
The DB after hearing senior Advocate B.S Salathia assisted by Advocate Meenakshi Salathia appearing for the PIL and senior AAG S.S Nanda appearing for the state observed that petition is primarily concerned about non execution of two mega projects i.e. construction of Artificial Lake and Rope-way from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort in Jammu despite preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and availability of funds.
The Court observed that on 21st April 2015, it was stated by counsel of the respondents that a meeting was scheduled to be held on 29th April 2015, to review execution of mega projects in Jammu city including two projects in question. It was directed to place on record taken in the meeting dated 29th April 2015 as also action taken to implement such decisions on ground within four weeks.
The Division Bench further observed that counsel for the petitioner has rightly said that till significant steps are taken towards execution of the projects in question, the respondents are duty bound to ensure that no encroachment is allowed on Tawi River bank and encroachment already made is removed. It was also stated that the Tawi Banks are not to be made dumping ground for municipal waste the use to which the banks are at present put by the respondent-corporation and others with the connivance of the Corporation.
Upon this, the Division Bench directed Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation to file a comprehensive statement by or before next date of hearing detailing therein the extent of encroachment, identifying the encroachers and steps taken to remove the encroachers as also to prevent encroachment as also municipal waste dumping on the river banks. JNF
