Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: Blaming the State Government for stalling the execution of work on ongoing Jammu projects, the president, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA), Inderjeet Khajuria, said that Government under the garb of Assembly election is intentionally delaying the completion of under construction projects whereas there is no such provision in Indian constitution to stall the work of ongoing projects during election.
Addressing the members, the president expressed his displeasure and urged the State Government to devote exclusive attention on the execution and completion of Jammu mega projects which are heart line of otherwise dwindling tourism and trade industry of Jammu due to multiple factors which include rail-link extension to Katra; diversion of all long route buses from Kunjwani; banning entry of tourists’ vehicles in Jammu city, etc.
He said, “The commissioning of artificial lake project at Jammu Tawi river has already crossed two deadlines and after the recent flash floods there has been no activity. Similarly, work on cable-car project has not seen any progress after its inauguration. There is also no progress in work on Mubarak Mandi heritage complex.”
It seems that some elements sitting in Government are trying to confine the tourism of Jammu city to Shri Raghunath temple only with no further tourist attraction to visiting tourist and the dreams of Jammuites to make the city as independent tourist destination may not materialize.
Mentioning about the Hari Singh Park, Khajuria said the park was inaugurated by Ghulam Nabi Azad the then Union Minister on the right bank of Jammu Tawi adjoining Tawi lake project with an area of 37 kanals, has turned to be a no man land with stray animals roaming and safe place for gamblers and other miscreants.
He asserted that the park has to be revived as a public place of utmost attraction by providing light and sound system besides, sitting, drinking water and toilet facilities in the premises. In future all cultural programmes should be organized in the said park on the pattern of Dal Lake of Kashmir valley, he added.