The development comes at a time when the ambitious multi-crore rupees Dal Conservation Project is going on in full swing and the lake's condition has shown considerable improvement for past some years.
Highly placed sources privy to the matter told Greater Kashmir that the Roads and Buildings Department has forwarded the controversial proposal to the Government of India for sanction.
To tackle major traffic jams on the busy tourist hub, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had approved the four-laning project from The Boulevard to Kralsangri on August 2 last year during a high level meeting. The CM had also approved Rs 60 crore for the project and directed the concerned departments to start the project on war-footing.
“I want the project on fast track. Traffic jamming and congested roads are putting the general public to great inconvenience. Our endeavor should be to concentrate on this subject positively and effectively to make a necessary dent", the CM had stated.
However, sources said, in contravention of the original place, the Road and Buildings Department has floated the new proposal of constructing the 2,000 meter long concrete cantilever on The Boulevard extending into Dal Lake from Dalgate to Nehru Park.
“The original plan envisaged road widening from the right side of Boulevard which houses mostly parking slots and buildings of some hotels. Ironically, the plan has been changed to save the prized properties of some highly influential hoteliers who have connections in the State Government and the Centre. But the matter of concern is that the cantilever will be constructed at the cost of Dal Lake," said a senior official wishing not to be named.
Environmentalists have expressed serious concern over the proposed construction of cantilever on The Boulevard saying it will be prove catastrophic for the Dal. “Any construction in Dal be it cantilever will tantamount to encroachment of the lake. What is painful is that this time the Government is itself an offender. The proposed construction of the cantilever along Dal banks defies logic. It seems the proposal has been floated on sheer influence and political pressure. If the wrong plan is executed, it will be a fatal blow for our beloved Dal," said Aijaz Rasool, a noted environmentalist and hydraulic engineer. Read the full report here.
Source: Arif Shafi Wani, Greater Kashmir, Srinagar.
