JMC wants iconic Parade ground turned into shopping, parking yard
TNN Bureau. Updated: 3/16/2019 11:26:40 AM
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JAMMU: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) wanted to construct a Commercial-cum-Parking Complex at the iconic Parade ground in the old city, while shifting the play field on its terrace, the instant permission for which was declined by Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
However considering the larger public interest involved, the court has appointed Advocate SS Ahmed as Amicus Curie to assist in on the matter, which it would next hear on April 22.
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the JMC had moved an application for seeking permission for the project of making provision of Parking-cum-Commercial Complex at Parade Ground, Jammu.
The JMC had envisaged shifting the existing play field on terrace of the proposed complex.
On Friday, a Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Sindhu Sharma declined the permission to the JMC.
While declining the permission the Division Bench headed by Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur directed that on the face of it, “We are reluctant to grant any such permission to the Corporation”.
He observed that it needs to be highlighted that Parade Ground area is already a highly congested area with a lot of haphazard development over decades.
“Construction of an underground Shopping Complex, although with a provision for underground parking, might further lead to aggravating the situation and besides this the directions issued by the Court in PIL No.20/2014 were issued with a view to protect the interest of the youth who were using the playground for sports purposes,” he said.
However, looking into the seriousness of the matter, the Division Bench appointed Advocate SS Ahmed as Amicus Curie for rendering assistance to the Court on the aforementioned issue.
The Division Bench also issued notices to Chief Secretary J&K, Director General Sports J&K, Director General of Police J&K, Parade Sports Association, Cricket Ground Parade Jammu for filing response and directed the Registry to re-notify the instant PIL on April, 22, 2019.