*Forest Deptt not demarcating land despite getting money
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 24: Exactly five months have passed since the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah laid the foundation stone of the much-hyped ropeway project between Peer Kho-Mahamaya-Shahbad but no further step has so far been initiated to start work on this prestigious project.
The fate of the project is hanging in balance mainly because of the fact that the State Government has failed to release funds despite the fact that Chief Minister, while laying foundation stone of the project, had mentioned that funds would not become hurdle in the completion of this gandola.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that on the receipt of clearance from the Supreme Court and its Empowered Committee, the State Forest Advisory Committee in its meeting held on January 10, 2014 gave nod to the transfer of 56 kanals of forest land at Mahamaya to the Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation.
Thereafter, on February 24, 2014, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah accompanied by Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmed Mir and others laid the foundation stone of the project. While speaking on this occasion, Mr Abdullah had directed the concerned agencies to make the completion of the project time bound so that Jammu have this facility as soon as possible like Gulmarg. He had even stated that funds would not be constraints for the completion of this project.
On March 11 and March 28, 2014, Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation made payment of Rs 3.75 crore to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests as compensation for the forest land to be used for the project. “This amount was paid strictly as per the award fixed by the Supreme Court Empowered Committee”, sources informed.
“On the receipt of this amount, the Forest Department was required to demarcate 56 kanals of land at Mahamaya and transfer the same to the Cable Car Corporation but despite lapse of several months the concerned authorities of the Forest Department have not initiated any step in this direction and Cable Car Corporation is still awaiting the land transfer”, sources said.
They disclosed that for the start of the work on the project, Cable Car Corporation requires 28 kanals of private land at Peer Kho and 14 kanals at Bahu but for want of funds from the Government this land could not be acquired till date.
“Though an amount of Rs 1.86 crore was kept at the disposal of the District Development Commissioner Jammu for acquisition of private land but the same is not sufficient”, they said, adding “the Deputy Commissioner has made a number of representations seeking funds in this regard but it seems that the coffers of the Government are empty at least for this project”.
When contacted, Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation, Tufail Mattoo said, “planning process is going on. Even designs of the ropeway are being finalized”, adding “we will start work on the project provided the land is transferred at the earliest”.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Jammu ropeway comprised of two sections. The Section-I with a length of 1137 meters will be between Peer Kho to Mahamaya while the Section-II with 453 meters length will be from Mahamaya Park to Shahbad. The ropeway will comprise mono-cable detachable Gandola system of 6-seater for 600 persons per hour with imported grips, rope, cabins and other critical components.
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