JAMMU, April 13: Civil Society for Development of Jammu and Kashmir (CSD J&K) president Puneet Singh Jamwal today urged Governor Satya Pal Malik to rope in Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) in cleaning Dal lake so that’s its pristine glory is restored. He said that crores of rupees have been spent in the cleaning of this lake but no desirable results have surfaced so far. In a statement issued here, Puneet Singh Jamwal said even High Court has directed the Surveyor General of India to survey the Dal lake and examine all available maps for demarcation of the boundary of the lake.
The matter he added is so serious that HC is monitoring the project and issuing directions to Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA). The CSD observed that LAWDA has not been able to achieve targets and even rehabilitate Dal dwellers in years. Since the department has failed and doesn’t even have other lakes of the state within its purview, it should be wound up and project handed over to Dredging Corporation of India (DCI). If needed the same agency should also be used for de-silting of Jhelum to avoid floods and start marine transport system.
Puneet Singh Jamwal said delay in cleaning Dal lake is causing serious threat to water body which is shrinking day by day. He said that weeds is the lake are also reducing its water capacity besides encroachments are threatening it’s very existence. He said that during past several ministers surveyed the lake but failed to get it cleaned to desired level.
The CSD said that it’s because cause of court monitoring that some works have been expedited or less nothing was moving. It urged government to also include all other lakes of state into the purview of LAWDA and also segregate it from Housing and Urban Development Department so that makes of state could be well taken care of.
