Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 1: After total neglect of properties of Dhirendra Brahmchari including Aparna Ashram at Mantalai in Sudhmahadev area of Chenani in district Udhampur besides multi-storey building and prime land in posh Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu by the State Tourism department for about a decade, the National Project Construction Corporation (NPCC) Ltd has finally launched work on Rs 97.82 crore prestigious project at Mantalai-Sudhmahadev with the funding purely by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
Authoritative sources told Excelsior that Union Tourism Ministry (UTM) has directly handed over the project to the NPCC Ltd, a national level Government owned Corporation. After awarding the project to the Corporation recently, the agency has moved its machinery and manpower to the site at Mantalai and they have started soil testing and other initial works of raising infrastructure for the workers at the site.
Among total 25 components of this project, the major will be setting up of International Yoga Centre, construction of twenty beautiful huts, Club House, creation/ up-gradation of Cafeteria, Heliport, beautification of the entire Mantalai site and renovation/ upgradation of existing buildings/hotel etc. A Delhi based consultancy has prepared DPR of the project and 36 months time has been given to the agency NPCC Ltd to complete this work.
CEO, Patnitop – Mantalai Development Authority, Rakesh Srangal, when contacted, said that a national level agency has already been engaged to have survey and initiate tourism promotion projects in Mantalai -Sudhmahadev area. He said the property of Late Brahamchari would also be developed and the place converted into a fascinating tourism destination.
Responding to a question, the CEO said that work on this project was started recently and machinery and workforce has been moved at the site by the NPCC. The Company was earlier given the target of 36 months but Union Tourism Ministry has issued fresh instructions to complete this task by two years. Already some time has been consumed in survey, consultancy and paper work. Soil testing has been done and infrastructure is being raised there. At Sudhmahadev, a Cafeteria will be set up besides conducting other beautification works.
Srangal said that Solar light system will be fully installed at Mantalai and a Heliport of the international standard is being created there for the night halt facilities (hanger) for at least two helicopters. This destination is likely to receive guests even from abroad and facilities are being created taking all these things into consideration.
The CEO further disclosed that a team from Union Tourism Ministry is visiting Mantalai-Sudhmahadev shortly to take review of the works and meet the concerned senior NPCC staff at work site. He said shifting of LT line of the PDD and Forest clearance were the main obstacles which almost have been cleared. The work will be expedited by the agency so as to meet the fresh deadline before start of elections in 2019.
Deputy General Managar NPCC, Dharam Pal said that the work was allotted to them directly by the Union Tourism Ministry and the State Tourism department has no role in it. However, Patnitop-Mantalai Tourism Development Authority will coordinate for project work.
He said about 7000 sq mt area at Mantalai also need forest clearance while matter related to shifting of LT line at Sudhmahadev and Mantalai has been taken up with the PDD authorities. He claimed that three years time has been accorded to them by the Tourism Ministry. The work was sanctioned to them in May 2017 and May 2019 is the deadline given to them. “We are hopeful to complete this project ahead of schedule time period given to the NPCC,” Pal maintained.
Sources in the Tourism department and District Administration, Udhampur revealed that due to ill-management of affairs and damage caused to properties of late Dhirendra Brahmchari at Mantalai in the foothills of Seoj Dhar near Sudhmahadev, a great resentment among the people of the area was prevailing. This impressive picturesque and hill resort remained in the state of shambles and the State Government did not pay any heed towards its further development and protect this valuable property. Even massive property items of Brahmchari have been ‘stolen’ and some of them were lying in the houses of some high officials and some contractors of the area. It needs holding of immediate fresh probe into the matter.
Though the place is hardly 60 kms from district headquarters Udhampur having good road link via Chenani but State Tourism department has made no investments at this hill resort which has great potential of tourism attraction. A large number of pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishnodevi shrine can be diverted to Patnitop and Mantalai if this place is developed. It is great demand of the people of the area to improve road network and develop this place as tourism destination. Massive infrastructure and other property of the Ashram was ‘gathering rust’ and getting damaged. The multi-storey building at Gandhinagar was also badly damaged and there was no proper utilization of the complex.
During the previous several Assembly sessions also this issue was raised in the Upper and Lower Houses of State Legislature by some members from Jammu region and they had also suggested to frame a House Committee for having assessment of the properties and recommend suggestions for the utilization of the infrastructure. They even suggested to promote this belt up to Latti- Dudu-Seoj Dhar and Shivgalli for Adventure tourism.
A senior officer in the Tourism department disclosed that the property of Aparna Ashram and the land measuring 1002 kanal at Mantalai was finally taken over by Patnitop Development Authority in 2009. He said the constructed and semi-constructed structures at Mantalai have also been handed over to the PDA which included Aparna Hotel and Restaurant, hanger for aircraft, petrol pump, air strip, semi-constructed hotel, cow sheds, personal residence of Swami Dherandra, a double storey building, swimming pool, orchards, zoo, half a dozen vehicles, bulldozer, road roller, construction equipment etc.
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