Srinagar: The J&K High Court has allowed J&K State Sports Council to up-grade and renovation of sports Centre at Nehru Park, Dal Lake for the betterment of sports activities in the State.
A division bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Tashi Rabstan passed the ordered on an application filed by J&K State Sports Council, seeking permission for up-gradation and renovation of existing water sports Centre at Nehru Park, Dal Lake here. The State Sports Council said that it got the water sports Centre approved from the Government of India under PMDP at a cost of Rs. 3.00 crores. It stated that the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority Srinagar made a communication dated 8 August last year and intimated the Secretary: “ Since the proposed site falls within 200 meters from Dal Lake, this office cannot consider your permission for up-gradation/renovation of existing water sports Centre in the said area. You are requested to approach Hon’ble Court in this behalf.”
The secretary submitted that sports structure at Nehru Park, Dal Lake Srinagar, got damaged in the devastating floods of September 2014, for which the funds have been placed at the disposal of the concerned authorities. The secretary said the sports council was not in a position to carry out the up-gradation and renovation of existing water sports Centre in view of restraint orders passed by the Court. In the application it was also stated that renovation was required to carry out the sports activities smoothly and to provide better sports facilities to the players involved in water sports games. The secretary further stated that sports council shall not carry out any construction in the water body within the meaning and contemplation of the order of the Court dated 19.07.2002 but only upgrade/renovate the existing water sports.
“Considering the nature of the relief prayed for in the application, having reference to seeking permission for renovation of existing water sports Centre at Nehru Park, Dal Lake, Srinagar on account of damages suffered due to devastating floods of September, 2014. We are of the considered view that the Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority shall consider the grant of such permission, by allowing up-gradation/renovation of sports Centre at Nehru Park, Dal Lake, Srinagar, for the betterment of sports activities in the State,” the court said.