The division bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has sought an action report from UT Administration regarding their action plan for organising Amarnath Yatra 2023.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Kotiswar Singh and Justice Moksha Kazmi Khajuria sought the response in PIL focused on preserving the Sonamarg resort.

Illyas Laway, government counsel submitted that a committee has been formed to create a detailed blueprint for the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Sonamarg. This blueprint will cover both the development of the resort and the upcoming Yatra.

The committee consist of Additional Development Commissioner, Ganderbal (Chairman), and Chief Executive Officer. Sonmarg Development Authority (Member Secretary), Executive Engineer, Sonmarg Development Authority (Member), Tourist Officer Sonamarg (Member), and representatives from the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Sonamarg.

Further, the Counsel suggested that the government should consider allowing the travel of pilgrims to the holy cave via the Sonamarg-Baltal route to reduce pressure on the Pahalgam-holy cave route.

During the last hearing, the court directed that all construction activities which is happening in the Sonamarg area must adhere to the 2005-2025 Master Plan until the new Master Plan is finalized and made public.

The court had requested an action plan for developmental works around the resort after reviewing the affidavit filed by the Chief Executive Officer of SDA. 

The court further ordered that no construction or repairs should occur in the Sonamarg Development Area without building permission granted by the BOCA, Sonamarg, and approved by the court.

The next date of hearing is on May 22,