Permit Army to renovate structures in Sonamarg: HC tells BOCA

Srinagar, Mar 2: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed Building Operation Controlling Authority (BOCA) Sonamarg to pass appropriate orders on the Army’s applications seeking to carry out renovations of the existing structures and raising fresh constructions, by keeping in mind the strategic significance and security of the nation.

A division bench of Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal passed the orders in response to applications filed by the Ministry of Defence in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to the preservation of Sonamarg.

In the applications, the Army has sought permission to commence constructions in respect of the dilapidated structures and new construction which, it said, would be required for operation and training of the forces including providing accommodation for own and foreign officers and troops along with the allied infrastructure at Sonamarg in phases.

“As this pertains to the defence and security of the nation, the matter is remitted to the BOCA for grant of necessary permission,” the court said. “The BOCA should accordingly do the needful for grant of permission to the applicant - Indian Army to enable them to make necessary repairs and fresh construction following the norms, as applicable.”

Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI), T Shamsi representing the Defence Ministry at this stage submitted that they have already approached the BOCA authorities.

“The authorities should consider it and pass appropriate orders keeping in mind the strategic significance and security of the nation, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a month,” the court said.

In its applications, the Defence Ministry submitted that with the turn of events on northern borders accentuated with increased deployment of troops in those heights and thereof, there was a requirement for specialised high-altitude training required for troops deployed there.

“The military establishments at Sonamarg also act as the lifeline for the logistics and transient movement to Ladakh which is huge in numbers and critically important for the Indian Army,” the ministry said.

Besides, the ministry said that the Ladakh region gets cut off during the winter season and all the logistic support is carried out from Sonamarg before the snowfall sets in.