Plug-And-Play Industrial Park In 'Flood Zone': HC Seeks Response

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has sought a response from the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on concerns raised over industrialisation in“flood-prone” areas including the proposed Rs 104.02-crore“Plug-and-Play” Industrial Park at Nowgam here.

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While hearing a batch of petitions concerning environmental protection and the river Jhelum, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajnesh Oswal took note of an affidavit filed by Environmental Policy Group (EPG), last month, which raised what it described as“critical” issues relating to industrialisation in flood-zone areas.

The Bench directed that a response to the affidavit be filed within one week and listed the matter for October 29.

“The affidavit dated 27.08.2026 has been filed on behalf of the petitioner (EPG). The affidavit raises certain critical issues, including industrialization in the flood zone area, which would require an immediate response from the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir,” the court said, adding,“It is directed that the response to the affidavit be filed within a period of one week from today.”

In its affidavit, EPG has drawn the Court's attention to the proposed industrial park at Nowgam, spread over approximately 50 acres. The group claimed that the site appears to fall within the Pantha Chowk–Nowgam stretch of the National Highway Bypass, an area it says was specifically protected from development under the Srinagar Master Plan-2035.

According to EPG, while approving the Master Plan-2035 through State Administrative Council Decision No. 40/5/2019 dated February 13, 2019, the SAC directed that no development or construction activity be permitted along the National Highway Bypass from Pantha Chowk to Nowgam as the area formed part of a flood-absorption basin.

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EPG has sought maintenance of status quo at the proposed site and asked the authorities to place before the Court the exact cadastral boundaries of the project overlaid on the protected zone, along with the legal basis, if any, for proposing development there.

Referring to waterlogging during the July 2026 rains, the group said the entry of water into residential houses, shops, commercial establishments and the ground floor of the Civil Secretariat highlighted the need for long-term drainage planning rather than continued reliance on emergency dewatering measures.

EPG has also called for identification and restoration of lost nallahs, ponds, depressions and open flood-storage areas as part of a city-wide“Blue-Green Infrastructure Network”. It has proposed an audit of road, plinth and drainage levels, stating that future road projects should ensure that raised road levels do not divert floodwater towards adjoining properties.

It has also sought an independent hydrological assessment of the site's flood-storage and flood-conveyance functions and has proposed that, if the protected status is confirmed, an alternative location be considered for the project.

The affidavit has also urged the Government to formulate an Integrated Jhelum Basin-Urban Resilience and Flood Management Programme, covering the catchment, tributaries, River Jhelum, floodplains, wetlands, Wular Lake, urban drainage and built-up areas.

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EPG has sought a technically independent hydraulic audit of the Jhelum, including mapping of historical and present cross-sections, bed-level changes, silt deposits, constricted reaches, weak embankments, encroachments and hydraulic obstructions.

It has further proposed a Jhelum Catchment Conservation and Restoration Plan to address deforestation, unregulated grazing, land-use changes, soil erosion and accelerated runoff through measures such as afforestation, slope stabilisation and erosion control.

The group has called for statutory floodplain zoning for Srinagar and other vulnerable settlements, with areas categorised according to flood risk and corresponding restrictions incorporated into Master Plans, development plans and building regulations.

It has also urged that filling, reclamation and permanent construction be restricted in identified natural flood-storage areas, including the flood-absorption belt along the National Highway Bypass.

On urban flooding, EPG has sought a comprehensive Srinagar Storm-Water Drainage Master Plan covering natural drainage channels, storm drains, culverts, outfalls, pumping stations and low-lying flood-prone areas.

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