Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 27: The newly constructed Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur has jumped at least four dead lines for its commissioning despite the fact that R&B authorities claimed to have completed the building about two years back while the work on the Travel Mart is no where insight even after the lapse of seven long years.
Official sources told the Excelsior that constructed with the cost of nearly Rs 30.5 crore, the work on new Toll Plaza infact, commenced in 2003 after then Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd Sayed laid foundation stone for this large complex at the J&K-Punjab border point, closer to river Ravi. The land acquisition process took long time and even the encroachment on the Government land was removed. For at least five years the work went at snails pace and only land acquisition and leveling of site process was witnessed during this period.
The PWD entrusted the task of construction of building complex to Jammu Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) in April 2008. The completion target of two years was given to JKPCC. June 2010 passed off as the first deadline on the project. As the agency failed to complete work within the given time frame, yet another six months were given and that deadline too, appeared over running. Two more deadlines have gone but the new Toll Plaza has not been finally commissioned while the JKPCC authorities claimed that building has been completed. The Excise authorities claimed that building is yet to be handed over to them by the constructing agency as only last finishing touch was remaining.
No infrastructure has been raised inside the building. Many cabins and counters are yet to be established. Computers and other necessary equipments is yet to be laid. Heaps of debris (Malba) are scattered all around at the site and major portion of parking area and approaches are yet to be repaired and black topped. Even the electricity work and some window-glass work was yet pending in the building. Earlier, 276 kanal of land was proposed for Toll Plaza but the Railway authorities refused to provide additional required land and the project was later confined to 167 kanal area. Even the proposal to shift a portion of railway track was also shelved.
DGM JKPCC, Arvinder Mansotra, who is associated with the project, claimed that work has almost been completed. He said inside infrastructure related works are pending. Some outer works related to black topping etc were also yet to be given final touch. The DGM said that new plaza will have separate entry gates for trucks/ load carriers, buses and light vehicles including cars/ jeeps. Three dhabas/ restaurants, drivers’ shelter, Excise/ Sales Tax offices will be housed in the new complex. Nine weigh bridges have been established to coupe up with the heavy flow of traffic flow of goods carriers. Mr Mansotra claimed that within next two-three months entire work is believed to be completed and the Plaza put to use with the final commissioning by a VVIP.
Dy Excise Commissioner Lakhanpur, Dr Mushtaq said building was ready and there was little work related to inside infrastructure pending at new Toll Plaza. He said nine weigh bridges were ready in place and other works related to final finishing were in progress. He said the final commissioning was delayed due to non-completion of new bridge over river Ravi. He said now the bridge is almost complete and the new Plaza will also be put to use shortly. The DC said the old existing complex will be used for export purpose and it will continue to function. Replying to another question the DC Excise said, raising infrastructure in the complex would not take much time and one month was enough for this activity. He said the Finance Minister was anxious to make this Plaza functional shortly and the department was waiting for green signal from the top now. The National Highway authorities have also to perform a little work near bridge, he added.
Dr Mushtaq denied the allegations of pilferage of revenue at Nagri Parole entry point Kathua and said that State is generating revenue in the range of Rs 80 to Rs 90 lakh per month at this entry point whereas, around Rs 23-25 crore average revenue is being collected at Lakhanpur entry point every month by Excise Department. He said some vehicles may use Jarai road through dry potion of Ravi river some times to evade tax but vigil has been increased by raising check points on the route. He said an officer of the rank of ETO is incharge at Nagri Parole entry point and he has sufficient staff at his disposal there.
While referring to the slow pace of work on Travel Mart, Lakhanpur the sources said Rs 3 crore were sanctioned in 2005 for this project of Tourism Department. There was proposal to acquire 212 kanals of land and raise Tourist Reception Centre, Restaurant, shopping complex with display of state’s handicrafts and handloom items etc. Out of the total, 98. 2 kanal land pertained to Irrigation department, 69.15 kanal State land whereas, 45.3 kanal private land. The Tourism Department failed to acquire entire land and the agency CPWD which had been given the contract abandoned it due to objections and threats from the land grabbers.
Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora said it became headache for the department to take control of entire land as it had been encroached upon by many people. Mr Jora said land dispute was the major cause of delay over the project. He said few months back, he along with Director Tourism, DC Kathua, MP Ch Lal Singh and MLA Kathua besides other revenue officers went there. Concerned parties were also called and the matter was resolved. The site for construction of complex was also identified. He said the instructions have been given to the Director Tourism to go for tender process and allot the work. He however, said that Rs 3 crore was not enough for the project and additional funds will be made available.
Director Tourism R S Mehta said there was no dispute on the Government land. The major dispute pertained to 45 kanal private land. Now, when the cost of land/ compensation has also been given to the private parties, they have not yet vacated the land in question. He said CPWD abandoned the work alleging interference from local land grabbers and now the fresh tender process has been initiated. Mr Mehta claimed that work of leveling of land on the project has now been started. All the revenue related land disputes have been resolved, Mr Mehta maintained.
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