Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 1: Shocking it may sound but it is a fact that damages to the infrastructure around two important water bodies of Jammu region–Mansar and Surinsar lakes due to recent heavy rainfall have yet not received the required focus of the Government till date. Due to this, neither the temporary restoration works could pick up the momentum nor the funds required for permanent restoration worked out.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that like other parts of the State, two important tourist places of Jammu—Mansar and Surinsar lakes and two pilgrimage spots of Utterbehni and Parmandal also suffered extensive damages due to heavy rains and flash floods early last month. However, the funds required to ensure restoration of damaged infrastructure on permanent basis have not been worked out even after the lapse of nearly one month.
As far as damages to infrastructure around Surinsar lake is concerned, sources said that park near this tourist spot, which was constructed for the leisure activities of the visiting tourists, has completely been filled up with debris because of sliding of adjoining hill. Due to the landslides, even the tiles on the walkways got damaged thereby rendering the entire park inaccessible.
According to the sources, around one kilometer stretch of the road connecting the lake area with bus stand has virtually been rendered unfit for the vehicular movement because of slush. The condition of this stretch can be gauged from the fact that only heavy vehicles can move that too with much difficulty and risk of damage. The tile work around the lake has suffered extensive damage at many places and in other places the heavy rains rendered almost all the drains chocked with mud besides causing damage to protection walls, electric installations and poles.
About the Mansar lake, sources said that at several places around the water body the land got sunk due to heavy rains besides causing damage to small culverts constructed for the smooth movement of the tourists. Likewise Surinsar lake, severe damage to tile works and drainage system has also been noticed at many spots in the area surrounding Mansar lake.
Around 500 meter stretch of the club/restaurant approach road has been rendered badly damaged by the heavy rains and floods at Mansar tourist spot. “What to talk of these water bodies, even the pilgrimage spots of Utterbehni and Parmandal have suffered many damages because of flooding of Devika river early last month”, sources informed.
Notwithstanding damages to infrastructure around two important water bodies as well as pilgrimage spots, the Government has failed to lay required focus on reconstruction aspect although nearly one month has passed ever since the rains brought havoc.
“This can be gauged from the fact that only few activities vis-à-vis restoration of damaged infrastructure could be initiated till date”, sources said, adding “because of meager resources Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority could only lay some sort of focus on repair of electric works and removal of slush from some areas”.
When asked, sources said that temporary restoration of damages involves an expenditure of Rs 35 lakh and the Government has so far released only small amount. “The intensity of non-seriousness can be gauged from the fact that funds required for permanent restoration works have yet not been worked out”, they added.
When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority, Vikas Gupta said, “we have restored the electric works at many places and efforts are on to clear the debris, which is pre-requisite for start of other works”, adding “funds would not be any constraint in rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and within shortest possible time infrastructure would be rebuilt not only at Mansar and Surinsar but also at Purmandal and Utterbehni”.
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