Finance Deptt raises queries on financial model
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 29: Despite nearly three years having passed since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for world-class Inter-Modal Station (IMS) at Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, actual construction work is yet to begin raising concerns over procedural delays.
On August 30, 2022, an MoU was signed between National Highway Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML) and the Katra Development Authority in the presence of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of State Gen (Retd) V K Singh, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha and senior officials from the Central and UT Governments for the development of Inter-Modal Station at Katra to improve the travelling experience of pilgrims visiting the revered shrine.
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It was stated officially, on the occasion, that Inter-Modal Station will come up on 32 acres of land where entire transport coming to Katra from New Delhi-Amritsar-Jammu-Katra Expressway will reach and it will have enough capacity to accommodate the vehicles and ensure smooth entry and exit.
Further, it was mentioned that the IMS will integrate various transportation modes of rail, road, air (helipad), bus, auto rickshaws, taxis and private vehicles at a single hub for seamless movement of people from one mode to another.
“However, even after nearly three years since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, work on the project is yet to begin, mainly because of procedural delays and queries raised by the Finance Department of J&K Government regarding the financial model and the upfront cost of the land”, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
They further said that the Finance Department has sent a detailed questionnaire to the NHLML seeking clarification on key financial aspects of the Katra Inter-Modal Station project. The department has directed NHLML to submit responses at the earliest, especially in view of the significant progress achieved on the New Delhi-Amritsar-Jammu-Katra Expressway, which is expected to feed major traffic into the proposed transport hub at Katra.
Stating that NHLML will make every effort to furnish its response within the shortest possible timeframe, sources disclosed that National Highways Logistics Management Limited has already identified the Lowest-1 (L-1) bidder for the project. However, they added that the formal award of work will take place only after the pending issues with the Finance Department of the J&K Government are fully resolved.
Earlier, it was anticipated that work on the project would commence in December last year, following approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and the floating of tenders. However, sources said that the timeline now hinges on the resolution of financial queries raised by the Finance Department.
According to the sources, the project to be executed on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, is expected to catalyze commercial development and economic activity, significantly enhancing the socio-economic profile of the holy town of Katra and its adjoining areas.
The primary components and amenities of the Inter-Modal Station at Katra will include a facilitation centre and yatra registration centre within the passenger terminal building along with a bus terminal, multi-level car parking and a range of commercial facilities such as hotel accommodation, retail zone, food courts and an entertainment/cultural zone.
In addition, the station will offer inter-modal connectivity through a taxi stand, IPT (Intermediate Public Transport) stand, pick-and-drop bays, two helipads, and a ropeway system. The station will also feature world-class passenger amenities, including passenger lounges, medical facilities, a pharmacy, baby care areas, and other essential services. Notably, the existing Railway Station at Katra will be integrated with the Inter-Modal Station via a foot-over-bridge, ensuring smooth movement between facilities.
In the first phase, expected to be completed within two and a half years, the bus terminal will be constructed, followed by the development of other components. Officials added that inter-modal stations typically witness higher passenger footfall compared to stand-alone transport terminals. These facilities are also better managed due to the collaboration of multiple agencies and commercial development is more robust, driven by the aggregated footfall across various modes of transport.
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