Much-hyped Shiv Khori Passenger Ropeway Project
Ministry’s panel defers proposal for unspecified period
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 5: Establishing that much-hyped Shiv Khori Passenger Ropeway Project is not a priority for the Government anymore, nobody from the administration was deputed to attend the meeting of Expert Appraisal Committee of Union Ministry of Environment and Forest for obtaining environment clearance. Due to this, the panel of experts has deferred the proposal for unspecified period.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that proposal for obtaining environment clearance for Shiv Khori Passenger Ropeway Project was listed before the Expert Appraisal Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest some days back.
However, the committee was surprised to know that State administration had not deputed any officer to furnish the requisite information and answer the queries on various vital aspects. “The project proponent—Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation didn’t attend the meeting as such the proposal is deferred”, the Expert Appraisal Committee has recorded on the file.
Taking serious note of non-participation in the meeting, the committee has not communicated any further date for consideration of proposal for environment clearance, sources said, adding now the project proponent will have to formally make a request to the Expert Appraisal Committee for listing of proposal for consideration and unless this step is initiated the panel will not take up the matter.
“This has clearly established that Shiv Khori Passenger Ropeway Project, which was once a buzzword for the politicians and bureaucrats, is no more a priority for the State Government and has virtually been shelved”, sources said, adding “had there been little bit of seriousness towards the project at any level in the Government somebody would have attended the meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee on the scheduled date along with relevant information”.
In the month of May last year, the Expert Appraisal Committee while considering the proposal for grant of Terms of Reference for preparation of Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan report had sought information on several vital aspects before granting environment clearance to the project.
“It seems that project proponent has not met the requirement of the Expert Appraisal Committee as such preferred not to attend the meeting”, sources said.
The committee had sought information about all eco and environmentally sensitive areas and places which fall in the radius of 10 kilometres of the project; a note on appropriate process and materials to be used to encourage reduction in carbon foot print and details of air emission, effluents, solid waste and hazardous waste generation and their management.
The committee had also directed the project proponent to submit an assessment of the impact of all activities being carried out or proposed to be carried out for traffic densities and parking capabilities in two kilometre radius from the site.
“A detailed traffic management and a traffic decongestion plan drawn up through an organization of repute and specializing in transport planning shall be submitted with the Environment Impact Assessment”, the committee had directed in May last year. It had also sought onsite disaster management plan to account for risks and accidents post operationalization of the project.
While laying stress on conducting public hearing and incorporation of issues raised and commitments made by the project proponent in the Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan report with financial budget for complying with the commitments, the committee had asked for submission of draft EIA/RMP report to the State Pollution Control Board for necessary action at its end.
The committee had sought information on these and other aspects as the project being an aerial ropeway falls under the Item 7(g) of the EIA Notification, 2006. The alignment of the project falls within a forest land for development of terminal stations and line towers. Moreover, about 18402 square meter forest area will be diverted and 450 trees will be axed for the project.
It is pertinent to mention here that the project is aimed at promoting tourism by providing additional mode of transport. However, by not showing any interest in the project the Government has created obstacles in tourism promotion.
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