JKHC issues notices for petrol pumps in residential areas

Srinagar, Sep 29 (UNI) Taking cognizance of a media report suggesting that a number of petrol pumps have come up in residential areas of the city in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notices to the authorities in this regard.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmed Khan and Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani, issued notices to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the Chief Town Planner Srinagar, the Srinagar Development Authority Vice-Chairman and nodal officers of oil companies to respond to the allegations within two weeks.

The court has registered the report, carried in Greater Kashmir, a leading English daily from here, as a Public Interest Litigation.

The report suggested no objection had been granted by various authorities in violation of rules to allow petrol pumps in the residential areas of the summer capital.

The senior Town Planner had also drawn the attention of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation towards the issue, it said.

But the state government had failed to take any action in the matter and allowed these petrol pumps in areas such as Khanyar, Karan Nagar, Babademb, Habbak and Zakura likely to constitute a threat to property and human life, the report added.

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