28 kanals of Appu Ghar land vacated by JDA
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Aug 26: With the reclaiming of 28 kanals of Appu Ghar land by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) today, decks have been cleared for extension of mega beautification project for the vicinity of Bawe Wali Mata temple at Bahu Fort.
The beautification project in two phases involves landscaping , construction of sunshades and paths, fountains with water channels, more than life size sculptures of lion and goat drinking water, remodeling of parking area, viewpoints, rain shelters, green patches, Red stone lamp posts, wall murals in 3D with Red/Jaisalmer stone depicting story of Mata Rani and Raja Jambu Lochan, cladding of Agra stone with carving in Gate Pillars, fixing of Red stone benches on both sides of the lawn etc, near the Fort complex.
One tender for the civil as well as electrical works and another for the artistic works have already been floated and the job work is likely to be allotted within days for commencement of the construction activities by the end of next month.
“And now the reclaiming of around 28 kanals of JDA land within the Bahu Fort complex, which was under possession of M/s Regency Amusement Pvt Ltd for over two decades, has cleared the decks for extension of the approved beautification project by developing the evicted land for the tourists and pilgrims visiting the Fort,” said Vikas Sharma, Vice- Chairman of JDA.
The evicted land shall be used as per the concept plan for the development of Bahu Fort area, which is under preparation by the JDA, he added and listed a number of proposals under consideration, which also include setting up a library, restaurant, installation of some amusement tools, etc.
Pertinent to mention that several developmental actions have been lined up in Bahu Fort area, which include Bawe Wali Mata temple complex, Fish Aquarium and Cable Car Project connecting Bahu Fort with Mahamaya Temple and Peerkho for developing the vicinity as a major tourist destination at the national level.
The eviction of this 28 kanals of Appu Ghar land is significant because of its location and the long drawn battle with M/s Regency Amusement Private Limited, local partner of M/s International Amusement Limited, which was allotted the contract for setting up an Amusement Park by JDA in 1992 and subsequently Letter of Intent was issued vide number VC/1164-69/PS, dated 10-03-1995.
Even as the M/s International Amusement Limited disassociated with the local partner and conveyed the same to JDA in 1996 following which eviction notices were issued, Director Regency Amusement Pvt Ltd, Manu Gupta approached the court, which finally dismissed his petition on August 21, 2019, rejecting his claim on the piece of land.
As Manu Gupta refused to vacate the land even after court direction, JDA got the same evicted today with the help of Police, which also registered an FIR against the former for the alleged act of trespassing and theft. FIR number 73/2019, under section 447A/379 of RPC has been registered against Manu Gupta at Police Station Bahu Fort.
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