Jammu, Feb 12 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that efforts are underway to vacate the court stay on the construction of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) office at Sopore, even as the existing transport yard continues to operate at full capacity.
In a written reply to a query by legislator Irshad Rasool Kar, Minister in-charge Transport as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said the construction work was taken up a few years ago but stopped following a status quo order issued by the High Court on November 25, 2022.
The court order came in a petition (WP(C) No. 2402/2022) filed by Ghulam Mohammad Ganaie and others against the Union Territory of J&K and others, with local residents claiming the land in question as “grazing land/khacharai”.
The Minister said the case is being “vigorously followed” by the department and para-wise replies have already been submitted before the court.
In a significant development, locals have recently agreed to enter into mutual negotiations with an assurance to withdraw the stay, supported by an affidavit. However, the Minister informed the House that the affidavit is still awaited.
On the operational capacity of the existing transport yard in Sopore, the government said the bus stand can accommodate 150 buses/mini buses, while the truck yard at Fruit Mandi has a capacity of 350 trucks. (KNS)
