Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 8: In view of delay in the historical Raghunath Bazaar Beautification Project of Jammu, Raghunath Bazaar Businessmen Association (RBBA) has appealed Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh to speed up the project to make Jammu city a hub of tourist activities.
Addressing a press conference here today, RBBA president, Baldev Khullar said, “The project of beautification of 400 metres of Raghunath Bazaar was launched in the year 2009-10 by Governor NN Vohra having total estimated cost of Rs 6.67 crore but the same is lingering on even after a lapse of six years.”
Giving a detailed account of the project, Khullar said, “Under this project, 36 ornamental Pink-stone lamp posts will be erected in the bazaar besides installation of 10 water taps of antique looks, to give it a historical look as was earlier at the time of Maharaja rule in the State”.
“As per the project, the footpath on both sides along 400 metres length of bazaar and its boundary was to be covered with red and pink tiles (Dholpuri stone) and the shutters of the entire market painted with same painting material and had similar sign boards having unique and antique designs on it”, he added.
The project also includes upgradation of power and telephone distribution network by underground shifting of cables and electric wires, installation of fire hydrants on either side on identical pattern, he said, adding, State Tourism Department will also make an arrangement for instrumental music in the Bazaar and ornamental lightening facilities in adjoining markets.
He said that in order to give information about the available articles and facilities, RBBA has prepared a brochure having all information regarding shops with its numbers and activities of association. Similarly, a website www.raghunathbazar.org has also been launched by RBBA, Jammu to provide information to public about shops and facilities available in the bazaar.
Khullar said though all paper works regarding the project including finalization of design has been completed by the Association, yet only an amount of Rs 4 crore out of total estimated cost of Rs 6.67 crore has been released till date to various departments entrusted with the implementation of different components of the project.
He demanded that remaining amount of project be released to the Nodal agency i.e, Tourism Department, Jammu so that project could be completed within the year 2015.
In order to attract tourists in Jammu City and Raghunath Bazaar, he mentioned that the project should be undertaken and completed on war footing so as to compensate the affect of extension of Railways to Katra.
The RBBA president also appealed for early start and completion of restoration work of historical Mubarak Mandi Complex, artificial lake project, Gandola project and other tourist circuits.
He also stressed for early construction of Multi Storey Parking facilities at Super Bazaar, Old City police Station and Indira Chowk, besides installation of CCTV cameras in the Bazaar for security purposes.
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