Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 11: The long wait of Jammuites will end as the construction of much talked about International Convention Centre (ICC) which has been delayed for 15 long years was likely to be completed by December end this year.
Though construction of ICC Jammu behind Circuit House, Canal road, here was started way back in 1998, it was delayed for 15 long years after the Electrical Contractor abandoned the work for years together, sources said.
The work was resumed only after the Government headed by- Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah assumed office in 2008, sources said, adding there is every hope that the project will be completed by December end this year.
To be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 24.61 crore, the civil work of the ICC Jammu is complete in all respects. However, the electric work was delayed after the contractor abandoned it resulting into the constant delay in completion of the project, sources added.
They said concerned over the constant delay in construction of ICC, the Department later allotted the Electric work of the Project to SICOP and last year out of Rs five crore, Rs four crore were spent by the agency for electrification work.
Sources said that electric work is to be given the finishing touch now, while the tenders have been issued for interior works also. These works after the allotment can be completed within fortnight, sources added.
Sources said this year Rs eight crore have been sanctioned by the Government for interior works including wood paneling, stage and video lighting etc.
The centrally air conditioned ICC Jammu has a seating capacity of over 400 people. It, besides two seminar halls, a VIP lounge, Chief Minister’s room, restaurant, cafeteria and an exhibition centre will also have a business centre.
The ICC Jammu is being constructed by Directorate of Hospitality and Protocol and the civil work of the Project was allotted to Amarnath Charanjit Lal Ji & Co, the firm which had constructed the ICC, Srinagar in Kashmir valley. The electric work was allotted to Ganga Constructions and after it abandoned the work the contract was given to SICOP, sources added.
When contacted the Director Hospitality and Protocol, S S Jamwal said that the minor interior works are to be done and the tenders have been placed. These works are of minor nature and will be completed within days after the allotment was made. He ruled out further delay in the construction work saying the project will be complete by ending December this year and the Department is optimistic about the same.
There was a lot of public resentment about the constant delay in the construction of project and people were alleging that Government was not interested in the completion of the Project that has led to its constant delay.
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