Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 3: The J&K High Court has ordered the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) to carry videography and photography of every portion of the existing structures in Gulmarg before granting permission for renovation of structures, amid a report by court's Registrar Judicial that in the garb of permissions obtained by the property owners for effecting repairs, illegal and unauthorized constructions are going on in the famous resort.
Soon after hearing of a Public Interest Litigation started before Chief Justice Justice Gita Mital and Justice Rashid Ali Dar, the court's notice was brought to the application filed by Registrar Judicial, placing on record the observations made by her in the inspection conducted in the Gulmarg area, pursuant to the orders passed by the court, pointing out illegal constructions on public land in violation of the court orders.
The report shows that in the garb of permissions obtained by the property owners for effecting repairs, illegal and unauthorized constructions are going on in Gulmarg, the court observed. Additionally, encroachments are being effected on public property and also large scale tree felling is taking place, the report said.
The court issued notice to M. A. Chashoo, Additional Advocate General on behalf of the official respondents.
In the meantime, the court issued slew of directions which among others include that any application which is made to the Building Operations Controlling Authority (BOCA) or the Gulmarg Development Authority for sanction of building plan/permissions for repairs or renovations etc. shall be accompanied by the site plan of the location of the property in question indicating its boundaries and dimensions in detail; Proof of ownership and title of the land; a complete and detailed plan of the proposed/existing structures including the measurements; Permissions granted for raising of construction of the existing structures including the measurements thereof; Videography of every portion of the existing structures; and Photography and video recording of the damaged portions which are sought to be repaired.
"So far as the private properties wherein permission has been granted by the Building Operations Controlling Authority or the GAD for either construction or repairs, or by this court, shall be forthwith halted."
The court said that all such owners/builders to whom permissions have been granted, shall submit the documents to the Building Operations Controlling Authority or the GDA within 10 days.
"These authorities shall, within 15 days of the receipt of such documents, inspect the property in question and after physical verification of the position at site vis-à-vis documents submitted, shall record a report in writing. Only thereafter the repairs in terms of the permission granted by this court, shall be allowed to be continued." |
