Srinagar, Mar 10: In compliance with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court orders, the Lakes And Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has issued notices to the owners and occupants of as many as 299 structures constructed illegally and in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan along the banks of the world famous Dal Lake.

Among these, about 30 structures are occupied by the state government and at least 20 are hotels.

The structures included the Centaur Hotel, housing the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre, and that of the ambitious Royal Spring Golf Course.

According to a public notice issued by the LAWDA, the owners and occupants have been directed to file objections, if any, with it by April 15.

The LAWDA said it had identified as many as 299 illegal structures which have come up on the Boulevard Road along the banks of the Dal Lake from Dalgate to Nishat.

It said the structures have been constructed in the green belt and restricted areas in violation of the stipulations of the Srinagar Master Plan.

The LAWDA said the public notice had been issued to enable the owners and occupants of these structures to file and submit the objections, if any, till April 15 with it.

''In cae the objections are not received by the LAWDA till the stipulated date, the structures will be taken as illegal and would be removed or demolished,'' the notice said.

The LAWDA said the notice has been issued in compliance with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court directions on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Syed Iqbal Tahir Geelani in 2002.

UNI