Legal Correspondent
Srinagar, January 13: High Court has directed JK Pollution Control Board to regularly analyse discharges added to Dal lake through various STPs.
A bench of justice Husnain Masoodi and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey asked the PCB to check and analyse discharges added to the lake through Sweage Treatment Plants at Hazratbal, Nishat, Nallah Ambir Khan, Brari Nambal and other places after evry two weeks and submit report accordingly before the court.
The directions were passed after a status report filled by JKPCB indicated that STP set up at Brari Nambal is working beyond capacity. Court observed that though effluents discharged from other three STPs have been found to be within prescribed limits, yet such standards appear to be not maintained in respect of old STP at Brari Nambal. ‘
During hearing, amicus curiae –assisting court in the PIL observed that JKPCB after complying with some of directions, forget that directions are to be compiled with regular intervals. Court acknowledged the facts and said the report made for a particular period may not be necessarily be correct as regards post report period.
The bench asked JKPCB to also analyse the discharge added to the city lakes by Non-governmental STPs set up by private actors including Grand Palace, Hotel Centaur lake View, SKICC, SKIMS Soura so that performance level of STPs to ensure that treated discharge as regard to different scientific parameters are up to prescribed limits.
High Court also directed VC LAWDA to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for establishing new STPs at Telbal and upgrading existing STPS.
Court Vigilance Commissioners had earlier reported that three STPs are on the verge of collapse and are not effective in preventing addition of pollutants to the lake.
Bench observed that LAWDA is ignoring and delaying the projects of Dal and expressed disapproval over the mode and manner in which LAWDA ignores the projects despite availability of funds.
In previous hearings, Director Planning had suggested that a part of rupees 2000 crores set apart for development of tourism could be earmarked for protection and conservation of lake and adjoining areas and that the matter is under active consideration of the state government.
On this court asked Planning Department to come up with definite stand against backdrop of these assurances.
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