High Court Acts On EPG Report, Summons Top Officials Over Flood Threat

Srinagar- The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday took serious note of the emerging flood crisis in the Valley (Flood 2025) during the hearing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) titled Environmental Policy Group (EPG) v. Union of India & Others.

The Division Bench led by the Hon'ble Chief Justice examined a six-page urgent report filed by EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi, which was presented before the Court by Advocate Nadeem Qadri, Amicus Curiae appointed in the matter. The report raised immediate concerns over preparedness, flood-control measures, and the risks to life, property, and the fragile ecology of Kashmir.

Taking cognisance of these concerns, the Court directed the Commissioner/Secretary, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, and the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to appear personally before the Bench in a special hearing scheduled for tomorrow. The Court also ordered the government of Jammu & Kashmir to take urgent steps and file a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR). The matter has been listed for further consideration on September 9, 2025.

In his written report, Bakshi was unsparing in his criticism of the administration's handling of the issue.“The government is clueless on the way forward,” he wrote.

“Those who are competent and qualified to decide the future course of action are neither empowered nor listened to, while those who are empowered but not qualified are not inclined to act. Till the government decides on a clear strategy, it is imperative that no land be allotted for government buildings or other facilities without first establishing that it is not a waterbody. Any allocation, sale, transfer of land, or construction within 500 metres of wetlands must be stopped immediately. Projects like Rakh Arth, Transworld University, and IIM Srinagar should be halted forthwith.”

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