*No time-frame for complete modernization of Raghunath Bazar
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 10: After making enough statements on early completion of two prestigious projects of Jammu, the PDP-BJP Coalition Government has finally admitted that much-talked about Artificial Lake and Jammu Ropeway will remain dream at least for two more years. In this way, the plan of utilizing these projects for promotion of winter capital as independent tourist destination has received set-back.
The fact was revealed by none else than the Tourism Minister on the floor of the Legislative Assembly today in response to a question of BJP MLA from Jammu West, Sat Pal Sharma, who has expressed concern over dilly-dallying approach in execution of both these projects of immense importance for the Jammu.
The project titled “Design and Construction of Auto Mechanically Operated Gated Barrage across the River Tawi” under which ‘Creation of Artificial Lake’ is one of the components was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 70 crore several years back. However, an amount of Rs 57.35 crore has been spent till March 31, 2016 on the project.
“The project has been delayed due to non-availability of Central Funding under 13th Finance Commission Award and monsoon floods in 2013 and 2014”, the Tourism Minister said, adding that Union Ministry of Water Resources had recommended the case to Department of Expenditure of Union Finance Ministry for release of Rs 6.25 crore worth 3rd installment under the 13th Finance Commission Award. However, no funds were released by the Ministry.
Initially, the time of completion for the project was two years but now the date of completion has been proposed/ revised to March 31, 2017. “It is a matter of serious concern that despite being aware of the fact that there is no timely release of 3rd installment from the Union Finance Ministry, the State Government didn’t find it imperative to make arrangement of funds from its own resources so as to ensure that pending work is geared up on the Artificial Lake project”, official sources rued.
However, the reply was silent on diversion of 13 major nullahs, which are still flowing into River Tawi. Besides being source of pollution, these nullahs are also major impediments in translating the dream of creating Artificial Lake in Jammu in to reality.
Though the Irrigation and Flood Control Department may meet the target of creating mechanically operated gated barrage across the River Tawi that too if funds are released, there is absolutely no focus on second component-“Creation of Artificial Lake” as even Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for diversion of nullahs have not been prepared till date.
As far as Jammu Ropeway Project is concerned, it was stated that main reason for delay in execution of the project was due to obtaining of clearances from Union Ministry of Forests and Environment besides Wildlife Board and delay in acquisition of land at Lower Terminal Point and Upper Terminal Point.
Now, it is claimed that work on the project is progressing and will be completed within next two years. Due to dilly-dallying approach on the project the cost has escalated from Rs 43.83 crore estimated by M/s RITES to Rs 62.02 crore. Whether the project cost would not go even beyond this is still a million dollar question?
In this way, both the projects are unlikely to become reality at least for two more years.
What to talk of these two mega projects, even no time-frame has been fixed by the Tourism Department for completion of renovation/modernization of Raghunath Bazar Jammu. “The work is at advanced stage and being commissioned shortly”, was the reply of Tourism Minister.
As far as development of Summah area at Akhnoor is concerned, the Minister said, “the project shall be completed by the end of current month”. But how this deadline would be met when work on water body, steel bridge and park is yet to be completed remains a million dollar question. Even the Tourism Department has itself admitted that as against Rs 4.71 crore cost of the project, expenditure till date remains to the tune of Rs 2.80 crore only.
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