*Many reputed trusts evince interest in making use of infra
World class infra to fascinate domestic, foreign tourists
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 13: The taking over of assets created at Mantalai under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) will begin from tomorrow by a committee constituted by the Government and the entire exercise will be completed within 15 days. Moreover, several reputed trusts have evinced interest in utilization of assets after entering into formal agreement with the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The inspection and taking over of assets will be carried out by a committee headed by Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority and comprising of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Chenani and Executive Engineers of the Public Works (R&B) Department, Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited and Jal Shakti Department.
The project was sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Government of India in order to carry forward the Himalayan Yoga and spiritual knowledge besides attracting domestic and foreign tourists and work on all its components has been completed by National Building Construction Corporation through Patel Engineering.
As per the sources in the Tourism Department, trusts of Sri Sri Ravishankar and Yoga Guru Ramdev and Shri Veda Vysa Trust have shown interest in utilization of assets after formal agreement with the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which has already decided to outsource the assets to generate sufficient revenue and for better maintenance of infrastructure.
The assets include Yoga Centre with associated infrastructure, equipment and counseling rooms; Wellness Spa and Ayurveda Complex with separate area for traditional Indian spa therapies with library and archiving centre; Tourist Facilitation Centre with exhibition space; eco-log huts with solariums on south west side integrated into the cottage design; eco-park with herbal garden and poly houses; meditation enclave in apple orchard; heliport with ambulance shed; open air amphitheatre with green rooms; rainwater harvesting and associated water bodies; sewage treatment plant and water purification plant etc.
The Tourist Facilitation Centre consists of counseling rooms, money exchange point, conference hall and museum while as Yoga Centre is having exhibition space, meditation hall, meditation pods, dining centre and solid waste management plant and it has been conceptualized to practice and propagate Yoga in the lap of nature as these days many people are running for solace due to their changed/engaged fatigued lifestyle.
The Wellness Spa and Ayurveda Complex with separate area for traditional Indian Spa Therapies consist of six floors and other allied infrastructure. The Wellness and Spa industries are recording a growing trend with each passing year and domestic and international tourists are expected to take advantage of this centre throughout the year.
The poly houses at Mantalai are having naturally ventilated climate control for growing of vegetables, floriculture and fruit crop for market and outsourcing of the same will generate huge revenue every year. Moreover, open air amphitheatre with green rooms and tensile roofing, walking and jogging track, mood lighting, children activity zone and fountains have been created as part of the project.
For the mobility of the visitors within the complex spread over 450 kanals of land, battery carts will be operated with informational, directional and ecological Dos and Don’ts signage at different places.
About the existing infrastructure built by Swami Dhirendra Brahmchari, who developed the place as a Spiritual, Yoga and Meditation Centre in the relaxed environment and named it as Aparna Ashram, official sources said, “since huge cost is involved in the repair of this infrastructure the Government has decided to outsource it on as and where basis”. This infrastructure comprises of Aparna Ashram having 18 rooms, Gole Ghar and incomplete five star hotel building having 26 rooms.
At Sudhmahadev, infrastructure like tourist cafeteria with hall and waiting area and benches; toilets; landscaping and beautification and solar lighting has been created by the project executing agency.
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