Jammu & Kashmir High Court Seeks Action Plan From Govt For Smooth Conduct Of Amarnath Yatra

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has sought a report from the UT Administration regarding its action plan for facilitating tourists and organizing the upcoming Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Kotiswar Singh and Justice Moksha Kazmi Khajuria sought the response in a Public Interest Litigation focused on preserving the Sonamarg resort.

During the hearing, government counsel Illyas Laway informed the court that a committee has been formed to create a detailed blueprint for the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Sonamarg. This blueprint will cover both the development of the resort and the upcoming Yatra. The committee comprises Additional Development Commissioner, Ganderbal (Chairman), Chief Executive Officer. Sonmarg Development Authority (Member Secretary), Executive Engineer, Sonmarg Development Authority (Member), Tourist Officer Sonamarg (Member), and representatives from the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Sonamarg.

Laway further submitted that the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for presenting an overview of TDA Sonamarg to the committee. The committee will define the scope of work, objectives, and timelines, and gather inputs from the public and stakeholders to ensure their needs are reflected in the blueprint. Once completed, the committee will review and finalize the blueprint, aligning it with the goals and objectives of TDA Sonamarg. The committee has been urged to complete and finalize the blueprint within a week for presentation to the High Court.

Laway also suggested that the government should consider allowing travel of pilgrims to the holy cave via the Sonamarg-Baltal route to alleviate pressure on the Pahalgam-holy cave route.

In a previous hearing, the court had directed that all construction activities in the Sonamarg area must adhere to the 2005-2025 Master Plan until the new Master Plan is finalized and made public. The court had requested an action plan for developmental works around the resort after reviewing the affidavit filed by the Chief Executive Officer of SDA. The court had also asked for fresh affidavits from the CEO and the Chief Town Planner of Kashmir, detailing the steps taken to finalize the 2025-2040 Master Plan.

The court had further emphasized that no construction or repairs should occur in the Sonamarg Development Area without building permission granted by the BOCA, Sonamarg, and approved by the court.

The court has scheduled the matter for listing on Monday, May 22, to allow the government counsel to seek instructions from the authorities and report back to the court.

Case Title: Court On Its Own Motion Vs State of J&K