Permit Army to set up, renovate structures in Gulmarg: HC tells BOCA

Srinagar, Mar 8: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh Friday directed the Building Operation Controlling Authority (BOCA) Gulmarg to pass “appropriate orders expeditiously” on the Army’s application seeking to carry out renovations of the existing structures and raising fresh constructions.

A division bench of Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal asked the BOCA authorities to consider the plea and “pass appropriate orders keeping in mind the strategic significance and security of the nation, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a month”.

In its application, the Army had sought permission to commence existing and fresh construction relating to operational training of its forces including providing accommodation for own and foreign officers and troops along with the allied infrastructure at Gulmarg in phases.

It submitted: “Gulmarg is a key location which acts as the fulcrum of operations of Indian Army in maintaining the Line of Control of the nation and also hosts the unique High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) which trains the Indian Army and armies of friendly nations.”

The court said, “As this pertains to the defence and security of the nation, the matter is remitted to the BOCA Gulmarg for grant of necessary permission. The BOCA shall accordingly do the needful for grant of permission to the applicant-Indian Army to enable them to make necessary repair 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 shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders keeping in mind the strategic significance and security of the nation, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a month from today,” the court said in its order of March 5.

While the court, accordingly, disposed of the application, it listed the main matter – the Public Interest Litigation related to the preservation of Gulmarg, on April 1.