IOC inks MoU with SFC to set up ‘Ban Padao’ for wayside amenities

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 12: An MoU was signed between J&K State Forest Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation Limited to set up Ban Padao (Forest destination) for wayside amenities along with fuelling facility on J&K State Forest Corporation land in an event held at Khanpur Jammu.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Choudhary Lal Singh, Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, J&K and  Sandeep Jain CGM I/c, J&K, HP & Punjab State Office, and other officials.
“It is indeed a moment of pleasure to have IndianOil on board with us in this project. When it comes to development initiatives in the State, the oil PSUs have been highly supportive”, said Choudhary Lal Singh  in his address to the audience.
The Minister further said that this was a golden milestone in the history of J&K State Forest Corporation as it would  create a first of its kind model where the infrastructure is developed by a Central PSU and the land provided by the State.
These way-side amenities along with fuelling facility halting places (Ban Padao) for pilgrims from neighbouring States visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra will be set up as a joint initiative of J&K State Forest Corporation and the Indian Oil Corporation.
Being a responsible corporate, it was found immensely pertinent by Indian Oil to join hands with this project that aims to provide standardised and hygienic facility along with fuelling facility for commuters at regular intervals. These facilities shall have hygienic food courts, clean toilets, washrooms, facility for short stay, minor vehicle repairs, plants seeds and kiosks of other regular usable items. Distinct facilities will be developed for car and bus passengers, for truck drivers and transporters to cater to their diverse requirements,  expectations and to suit the budget of each user.
J&K State Forest Corporation has identified sites for setting up wayside amenities along State/ National Highways. These sites will be developed to provide facilities such as separate parking for vehicles, restaurant/food court, telephone ATM, plant seeds, fuel station and  minor repair shop, rest rooms for short- stay, clean toilets, landscaping, kiosk for sale of miscellaneous sundry items in a systematic and planned manner.

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