The ambitious Peerkho-Mubarak Mandi Vertical Lift Project, aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism in Jammu, remains a distant dream. More than a year after its tendering process began in November 2023, and despite multiple deadline extensions, no bidder has come forward to execute this much-anticipated project. This unfortunate situation raises questions about the planning, feasibility, and management of infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir. Conceived with a budget of Rs 25.07 crores and approved by the Administrative Council in September 2023, the project was intended to create a seamless link between the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and the Peerkho Station of the Jammu Ropeway. It was designed as a critical component of a broader tourist circuit connecting significant landmarks such as the Peerkho Temple, Mahamaya Temple, Bahu Fort, and Bawe Wali Mata Ji Temple. The vision was clear: positioning Jammu as a hub for cultural tourism and religious pilgrimages. The project boasts a technically advanced design, including capsule-style cabins offering panoramic views, vertical rises of 38 and 30 meters, footbridges spanning 34 and 30 meters, and infrastructure such as a Base Station, an Intermediate Station with parking, and an Upper Station. Despite its innovative blueprint, the project has failed to attract any bidder-a predicament that underscores several underlying issues.
Practically, the already completed Peerkho-Mahamaya stretch of the Jammu Ropeway remains closed due to low tourist turnout, with the accompanying restaurant space never even opened for operation. The Peerkho Park, a key attraction in the area, has fallen into disrepair. In this context, the J&K Cable Car Corporation’s proposal for the Peerkho-Mubarak Mandi Vertical Lift Project raises serious questions about feasibility and prioritisation.
The Mubarak Mandi Complex, a State-Protected Monument, is subject to stringent regulations prohibiting construction within its premises. The vertical lift project was sanctioned under the guise of enhancing amenities, but its location-behind the heritage complex-poses significant challenges. The foundation on the Tawi Riverside requires urgent strengthening, as highlighted in the Mubarak Mandi Master Plan 2019. This plan, prepared by consultants, emphasised that no restoration work should proceed on the back structures until the foundation is stabilised by experts from institutions like Railways or NHAI. Despite this recommendation, no action has been taken in the past five years.
Moreover, the vertical lift project was approved based on a single expert opinion from IIT Jammu. However, when construction companies inspected the proposed site, the practical challenges became evident, likely explaining the lack of bidder interest. The key reason for the lack of interest is the project’s complexity. As acknowledged by a senior official of the J&K Cable Car Corporation, the vertical lift is a state-of-the-art initiative requiring specialised expertise. The infrastructure demands precise engineering and cutting-edge technology, which could deter companies lacking experience in similar ventures. The project’s stalled progress highlights gaps in project management. Despite the involvement of a consultancy firm, Almondz Infra-Consultant Limited, to streamline the tendering process, successive attempts to attract bidders have failed. This points to a need for introspection on whether the tender documents, bidding conditions, project timelines, or feasibility of the project were adequately tailored to market realities.
Additionally, the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex remains far from complete restoration, and investing over Rs 25 crore in a project with unclear commercial viability and significant risks appears unwise. The Government must reconsider its approach, prioritising the restoration of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. The authorities must act decisively and innovatively. Strengthening the foundation of the Tawi Riverside, in consultation with experts, should take precedence. Only after ensuring the structural stability and restoring the backside of the complex should additional projects be contemplated. Rushing through initiatives without addressing fundamental issues risks consequences that must be taken care of. A cautious approach is a must. A more strategic, phased plan would yield better outcomes for tourism and heritage preservation in the long term.
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