Shift 2 petroleum storage depots from City: J

Srinagar, Oct 14 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir High court has directed the Union Petroleum Ministry to shift two oil storage depots from the residential areas to alternate places within three months.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmad Khan and Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani has issued a notice to the management of Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation through their State Nodal Officers to submit status report and pursue the process of shifting of these depots within three months from receipt of this order to ward off any danger to life and property.

The court direction came after a news report in a local english daily '' Greater Kashmir'' was admitted as PIL in which it was stated that many petrol pumps, in contravention of law, have come up in residential areas of the city thus putting the life and property in danger.

Advocate General S A Naik while submitting before the court that the petroleum storage depots were endangering life and property of the people, said despite representations by residents to the oil companies, no action has been taken so far.

After hearing arguments, the court directed the management of the two oil companies, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation situated at Sanat Nagar and Peerbagh to shift these depots.

Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Petroleum is also directed to shift these petrol pumps and depots to alternate sites in larger public interest.

Taking cognizance of newspaper report, the court had directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, heads of Srinagar development Authority and Srinagar Municipal Corporation to explain how permission was granted to petrol pumps in residential areas.

In the report it was stated that in contravention of Srinagar Master Plan 2000-2021, many petrol pumps have been constructed across the city, including in congested areas of downtown.

According to the Master Plan, an area of 1670 sqm or 3.25 kanal of land is required for a petrol pump, particularly in areas congested town. However, most of the petrol pumps came up without adhering to the prescribed norms despite objections by the experts and senior government officials, including Senior Town Planner last year.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir submitted to the court that he was still in the process of collecting information from various concerned departments including the oil companies.

The court however, said that by the time status reports are filed it becomes necessary to know whether a petroleum station or outlet could be located in the residential areas at all or whether there was any regulation provided by law for locating such outlets of the oil companies.

It directed the Union Standing Counsel to seek instruction in this regard from the Secretary to Government of India Ministry of Petroleum and also the head of Explosive Department, Government of India, besides examine the legal position on the matter.

The case is listed on December 11.

UNI BASA DKA KP1452