SrinagarUnimpressed by delays by the government, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday directed the Principal Secretary tourism department to ensure that the Master Plan for Gumlarg was finalized with the assistance of consultants within or outside the state.
As soon as the hearing of the PIL started, amicus curie in the PIL invited attention of the court to various order passed by the court and submitted that the government at every hearing seek time for the finalization of master plan as such their approach towards court directions was totally unacceptable.
A division bench of the court headed by acting chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar disapproved the conduct on part of the officer of Gulmarg Development Authority and directed Principal Secretary of tourism to ensure finalization of the master plan sans further delay.
Chief Town Planner was present before the bench and requested the court that Government be asked to enhance the staff so that the master plan was prepared well within time. He also addressed various issues to the court for preparation of master plan and gave the proposal as to how to address various issues identified by him. During the course of heading, the bench said the world famous resort should be maintained on scientific lines as is done outside the state.
Court also directed the Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg development Authority to submit status report on removal of encroachments on state land on next date of hearing.
The court was hearing the PIL filed in 2012 by one Mohammad Rafiq Zargar, seeking directions for protection of fragile environment of Gulmarg.