Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 5: The much-delayed Patnitop Ropeway Project will get further delayed as the Hyderabad-based firm allotted work to construct it has refused to start the work and the Government is now planning to issue fresh Expression of Interest (EOI).
In a written reply in the Legislative Assembly to a question by Dina Nath Bhagat, the Minister Incharge, Tourism said Patnitop Ropeway Project was conceived and approved in 2014. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was got prepared through M/s Doppel Mayor, an Austrian company.
The Minister said the project was awarded to M/s Nagarguna Construction Company Limited, Hyderabad who formed a special purpose vehicle by the name of M/s Patnitop Ropeway and Resorts Limited (PRRL) for construction of the ropeway.
The environment clearance for the project was granted on January 24, 2012, followed by clearance from Wildlife Protection Department on March 20, 2013. The Supreme Court gave its concurrence on August 29,2014 and subsequently, State Forest Advisory Committee cleared the project on March 9,2015.
The Minister said a series of meetings were held with PRRL to start the work at the earliest, but the company had not started any work.
The company, instead sought a grant in aid to the tune of Rs 60-65 crore to be provided by the State Government.
From the discussion in the meetings with PRRL this year, it appears that the firm is not interested in executing the project, the Minister said, adding that it has now been decided to issue fresh EOI for executing the project.
However, before doing that, the matter has been referred to Law department for their legal advice with respect to contractual obligations and liabilities of the firm.
However, the Minister said that reason for delay in execution of the work has been due to issues related to clearance required land on account of forest and wildlife areas.
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