Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Inviting yet another fresh controversy, the Government today categorically said that the work on Mubarak Mandi-Shahbad (Bahu Fort) Ropeway project in Jammu would be started shortly while Tawi Artificial lake project which has already jumped three-four deadlines will be completed by June 2015.
Minister for Agriculture Production, Ghulam Nabi Lone while responding on behalf of Minister Incharge Tourism to a question of BJP Member, S Charanjit Singh said that indigenous Ropeway Project from Mubarak Mandi to Shahbad is budgeted at Rs 40 crore for both the sections which include ‘land acquisition cost and realignment’ of utilities such as power, water lines etc. Interestingly, instead of mentioning the actual, Mubarak Mandi- Bahu Fort Ropeway project, the Government named it as Mubarak Mandi- Shahbad project in its reply, inviting fresh controversy. Not even a single member from the BJP or any other party in the opposition objected to the reply with regard to the change of name of this prestigious projected of Jammu city. The minister further claimed that all the required formalities for this project have been completed and the work is expected to start shortly.
In the starred question 327, the BJP member asked the detailed status and progress achieved on the projects related to Jammu beautification and tourism promotion. Mr Lone claimed that development of tourist spots in the State including Jammu is being given focused attention by way of creating Tourism infrastructure.
Referring to the progress on Tawi artificial lake project, the PDP Minister said that work on this Tawi Lake Project was taken up by the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control during 2010-11 with an estimated cost of Rs 69.70 crore. He said an amount of Rs 57 crore has been released and spent till date, against which 85 % civil and 80 % mechanical works stand completed. M/s GVR Infrastructure Project Ltd has been allotted the work. The works of installation and erection of gates was still pending. During 2013-14, the work also remained suspended due to paucity of funds.
Mr Lone said the September 2014 floods also caused some damage to one of the piers at Nikki Tawi side and the work could not be initiated for about 3-4 months. The work has now been started and it will be completed in given time ( June ending) provided pending funds under 13th FC are released. The other part of this project is UEED and Tourism. A DPR of Rs 36.77 crore has been approved but release of funds is yet awaited. The work on left and right embankments could not be taken up due to non-releasing of funds, he added.
Besdies this, the work on Mubarak Mandi Heritage Project is also going on. Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 16.92 crore under Mega destination Scheme and an amount of Rs 3.38 crore as first installment has been released and spent so far. Under 13th FC this Heritage project costing Rs 50 crores has been envisaged for conservation/ preservation of Raja Amar Singh Palace, Dogra Art Museusm, Badi Deodi, Royal Court and Gadvai and Mahal of Raja Ram Singh’s Queens. Archaelogical Survey of India has been entrusted with the execution of the project.
He also mentioned about Surinsar, Mansar and Suchetgarh border post development on the pattern of Wagha in Punjab to attract tourists besides Holy shrine of Baba Chamliyal in Ramgarh.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel