Pollution Control Board conducts public hearing

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 21: To listen to the environment related concerns, suggestions prior to construction of the passenger rope from Pirkho to Mahamaya and Mahamaya to Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu, State Pollution Control Board (JKSPCB)   organised a public hearing here today at Pirkho.
In this connection, a three member panel including Additional District Magistrate Dr G J Singh, Regional Director JKSPCB-Jammu Showkat Choudhary and District Officer SPCB Jammu T S Chib, constituted by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest listened to the public concerns and suggestions. The public hearing was organized as per EIA guidelines of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The public hearing started with the welcome note by A B Jandial from SPCB.
Speaking on the occasion, Regional Director JKSPCB-Jammu Showkat Choudhary explained about the importance of public hearing and asked the people to give their valuable suggestions for the same.
Ajaz, secretary, J&K Cable Car Corporation gave details about the Project.
R K Sharma, Technical Expert from RITES (Project Consultant) deliberated upon the technical aspects and gave complete detail of the projects.
“The ropeway would be from Pirkhoo to Mahamaya and onward to Shahbad Bahu Fort”, Sharma mentioned, adding, “Phase-I-from Pirkhoo to Mahamaya having total length 1137 mts while Phase-II-Mahamaya to Shahbad Bagh-e-Bahu included the length of 435 meters”.
Meanwhile, Environment Consultant and Prof in Department of Environment Science, Jammu University, Anil Raina spoke about the environmental impact and management of the project.
Additional District Magistrate, Jammu Dr G J Singh in his address deliberated upon the blue print for this project and invited the people for healthy suggestions and discussion prior to the construction of the project.
On the occasion, the people, particularly from Pirkhoo and Shahbad area also raised their concern about environment and socio-economic related issues and in response the concerned panelists from the concerned department gave satisfactory reply.
The vote of thanks was presented by Project Officer SPCB Jammu T S Chib.