Much hyped cable car, chopper services remain on papers
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 17: The PDP-BJP Coalition Government is showing no interest in many vital projects for Shiv Khori shrine area which were announced several years back with the aim to provide more facilities to the pilgrims and increase their footfall. The intensity of the non-seriousness can be gauged from the fact that even meeting of the Shrine Board has not been convened during the past nearly one and half year despite the fact that major decisions are required to be taken at this forum besides reviewing progress on developmental activities.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in the 9th meeting of Shiv Khori Shrine Board held in the month of September 2016 under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, who is the Chairman of the Board, it was decided that all the formalities relating to cable car project for the shrine area would be completed in a time bound manner as this facility would not only generate revenue but also provide an alternate mode of travelling to the pilgrims.
It was also decided that the approach road to the helipad will be completed expeditiously as this was the pre-condition of the aviation companies for start of helicopter service to Shiv Khori shrine base camp either from Jammu or Katra. Moreover, the Chairman of the Shrine Board had issued directions for setting up of Sewage Treatment Plant to cater to the sanitation needs of the area and introduction of e-rickshaws in the shortest possible time.
Thereafter, in the 10th meeting of Shiv Khori Shrine Board held in the month of December 2016, which was also attended by Minister of State and local MLA Ajay Nanda as special invitee, directions about early follow-up action on the decisions of 9th meeting were issued.
“Astonishingly, no perceptible progress has been made on any of the decisions taken in the 9th meeting of the Shrine Board till date thereby establishing that PDP-BJP Coalition Government and the concerned agencies are showing no interest in the projects which are aimed at providing more facilities to the pilgrims and increase their footfall”, sources informed.
The non-serious approach of the Government can be gauged from the fact that even no meeting of the Shrine Board has been convened during the past nearly one and half year, which otherwise was mandatory to review follow-up action on the decisions taken in September 2016, sources said, adding “it is shocking that neither Divisional Commissioner Jammu, who is Chairman of the Shrine Board, nor local MLA took any interest in convening meeting of the Board”.
“Public hearing on Shiv Khori Passenger Ropeway Project in the light of Environment Protection Act was convened last year but what happened thereafter is not known even to the officers of the Shiv Khori Shrine Board, who otherwise were supposed to remain update about this vital project”, sources said.
Similarly, concerned agency has failed to complete the work on approach road to the helipad despite being aware of the fact that without completion of this work helipad cannot be put to use for start of helicopter service to the base camp of revered shrine from Jammu or Katra, they further informed.
“Introduction of e-rickshaws and construction of Sewage Treatment Plant exclusively for the shrine area also remain on the papers till date because of absolute non-seriousness on the part of all the concerned agencies”, sources further said.
Despite several attempts Deputy Commissioner Reasi Prasanna Ramaswamy G, who is also Vice-Chairperson of Shiv Khori Shrine Board, could not be contacted to ascertain reasons behind hanging fate of vital projects and inordinate delay in convening of meeting of the Shrine Board as throughout the day his cellular phone remained switched off and he was not available in the office.
Though after hectic efforts contact was established with Executive Officer of the Shrine Board Harbans Lal yet he failed to specify the reasons behind inaction on the decisions taken in the 9th meeting of the Shrine Board. Moreover, he was not aware of certain decisions like establishment of Sewage Treatment Plant.
Another officer of the Shrine Board, while pleading anonymity, confirmed that no meeting of the Shrine Board has been convened during the past nearly one and half year.
All this clearly establishes that administrative inertia is creating impediments in giving practical shape to the vital projects for the shrine area.
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