Major crackdown on illegal constructions at Dal Lake: MHA

SRINAGAR, DEC 14: In a significant effort to combat illegal constructions and encroachments on Kashmir’s renowned Dal Lake in Srinagar City, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) disclosed the demolition of 1,478 structures and the filing of 636 FIRs against violators over the past four years.
The MHA highlighted the UT administration’s comprehensive plan, incorporating drone surveys, CCTV installations, and lake boundary delineation for scientific surveillance. A total of 21 illegal structures were sealed for violating building laws.

In response to directives from the Wetlands Department, Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Jammu and Kashmir government submitted a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 273 crore. The report is aligned with the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems and is currently under technical vetting by IIT Roorkee.
The government emphasized its commitment to monitoring and surveillance, conducting a first-time delineation and demarcation of the lake’s boundary with 302 installed markers. A drone survey covering the lake’s periphery and interior areas was initiated, aiding in curbing illegal constructions.
For enhanced monitoring of lake cleaning activities and prevention of illegal ferrying of construction material, 23 ANPR/PTZ cameras were installed, with 25 more proposed for Phase 2. Additionally, barricades have been placed on the western side, and a proposed road from Dal Gate to SaidaKadal aims to demarcate the lake boundary and counter encroachments.
The MHA report revealed that 50 percent of Dal Lake’s water is categorised as ‘B class,’ with regular water quality monitoring. Display units at five locations provide lake parameter information to the public, and plans are underway to install an Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System at Sewage Treatment Plants.
Addressing the lake’s sewage load, the report indicated that 36 MLD out of 48 MLD is managed through existing Sewage Treatment Plants. Refurbished STPs and a new 30 MLD plant at Gupt Ganga, funded by AMRUT 2.0, are addressing the remaining sewage load on the east-northern side of the lake.