Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Mehbooba Mufti opposes proposed road along Dal Lake’s western shore
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has opposed a proposal for a motorable road along the western shore of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
The proposal was put forward by National Conference legislator Tanvir Sadiq as part of a bill on housing rights for people living around the lake.
The bill aims to provide dignified housing for Dal Lake residents, rather than relocate them to the outskirts, as an earlier policy proposed.
Sadiq said the boulevard would ease traffic for those residents.
Mufti and the Environmental Policy Group argue that road construction could harm the lake and Cherry Park, which they say should be preserved as an ecological area.
The advocacy group cited government audit findings showing the lake’s area fell from 15.40 square kilometres in 2007 to 12.91 square kilometres in 2020.
It called for detailed environmental, legal and technical scrutiny of the proposed bill.
The sources do not say whether the Assembly has decided what to do with the proposal.
Mehbooba Mufti opposed a proposed motorable boulevard on the western shore of Dal Lake.
The proposal was put forward by National Conference legislator Tanvir Sadiq as part of a private members’ Bill on lakeside housing.
Sadiq said the boulevard would ease traffic for Dal dwellers.
Mufti said Cherry Park should be preserved as an ecopark and warned the project could harm the lake’s tranquillity.
The Environmental Policy Group also opposed road and other infrastructure reclamation, calling for detailed scrutiny of the proposed legislation.
- Who
- PDP president Mehbooba Mufti opposed the proposal. NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq proposed it.
- What
- A motorable boulevard is proposed along Dal Lake’s western shore, from Hotel Mamta to Habbak via Cherry Park.
- When
- Mufti voiced her opposition on Monday, October 12, 2026. The Bill had been moved before the J&K Assembly earlier.
- Where
- The proposed route is on the western shore of Dal Lake in Kashmir.
- Why
- Sadiq said the road would ease traffic for Dal dwellers. Mufti argued that Cherry Park should be preserved and the lake protected.
Mehbooba Mufti
Tanvir Sadiq
Purpose of the road
Mehbooba Mufti
Mufti said the proposal was a vote-bank agenda and would harm the lake’s tranquillity.
Tanvir Sadiq
Sadiq proposed the boulevard to ease traffic for Dal dwellers.
Cherry Park
Mehbooba Mufti
Mufti said Cherry Park should be preserved as an ecopark.
Tanvir Sadiq
Sadiq’s proposal would route the boulevard via Cherry Park.
NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq moved a private members’ Bill on dignified eco-housing in lakeside areas before the J&K Assembly and proposed a western-shore boulevard.
Mehbooba Mufti opposed the boulevard proposal.
- Proposed route
- Hotel Mamta to Habbak via Cherry Park
- Proposer
- Tanvir Sadiq, NC legislator
- Bill
- The Right to Dignified Eco-Housing in Lakeside Areas Bill, 2026
- Dal Lake area in 2007
- 15.40 square kilometres
- Dal Lake area in 2020
- 12.91 square kilometres
- Reported decline
- 10.15%
What people are saying
The proposed Western Foreshore Road from Hotel Mamta to Habbak via Cherry Park is a deliberate attempt to mislead and push a vote-bank agenda.
to ease traffic for the Dal dwellers
Housing rights should not compromise the ecological integrity, carrying capacity and public character of lakes and wetlands.
Development is essential, but it must be sustainable.
Sources
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