*Funds available but no time-frame for creation of infra
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 16: The much-hyped decision of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed about starting water sports activities in the reservoir of Baglihar hydroelectric project has failed to become reality despite lapse of two years due to lack of coordination between all the stakeholders. This is notwithstanding the fact that these activities will help in creating one more spot for tourists’ attraction in Jammu region.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed while chairing the Board of Directors meeting of Patnitop Development Authority on June 14, 2015 had approved the basic concept paper on development of tourism around Baglihar hydroelectric project reservoir which primarily focused on water-based leisure activities.
Following detailed presentation on the start of water sports activities, it was decided that under the project villages of Dharmund and Baglihar will offer family packages in water sports like floating cruises, viewpoint for waterfalls, camp life, tented and cottage accommodation, which will draw visitors towards a new concept of leisure tourism in Jammu.
From the presentation and subsequent approval to start of water sports activities an impression was given by the Government to the people that another spot of tourist attraction was on the cards in the Jammu region. However, despite lapse of two years the plan has remained confined to the papers and still none of the stakeholders—Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corpor-ation, Bhaderwah Development Authority and Tourism Department is in a position to specify time-frame for creation of even facilities and infrastructure for water sports activities, sources regretted.
Initially, there was confusion about location for start of water sports activities and whether Patnitop Develop-ment Authority or Bhaderwah Development Authority should handle such activities and after lapse of several months it was finally decided that activities should be started in Pul Doda area and Bhaderwah Development Authority be entrusted the task of creating facilities and infrastructure, sources said.
Even after decision on these two vital aspects nobody knows when creation of infrastructure will actually begin on ground and when the water sports activities will become reality to translate the decision of the then Chief Minister into reality, they rued.
They disclosed that Bhaderwah Development Authority has got prepared Rs 2.98 crore worth project for start of water sports activities and even some funds have been placed at its disposal by the Tourism Department. This project has two components—civil works like water sports centre, security cabins and fencing along the river side besides beautification of the spot and purchase of water sports equipment and creation of jetties.
The civil works could not be started till date despite availability of funds as Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) has yet not given No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Bhaderwah Development Authority for utilization of land which it had acquired at Pul Doda at the time of execution of hydroelectric project.
“The delay in giving NOC is notwithstanding the fact that Bhaderwah Development Authority has submitted all the relevant papers including Detailed Project Report to JKSPDC”, sources said, adding “even e-tendering for purchase of equipment like boats has yet not reached the logical conclusion. In such a situation nobody is in a position to specify time-frame for start of water sports activities”.
“Even if the present project is given practical shape in near future it is not going to attract large number of tourists as initially only two rescue boats are being purchased and major components of basic concept papers have yet not received the due attention of all the Tourism Department”, sources said.
When contacted, Chief Executive Officer of Bhaderwah Development Authority Bal Krishan confirmed that NOC for utilization of land for construction of civil works was awaited from JKSPDC. “I am hopeful of getting the same shortly”, he immediately added.
He, however, expressed inability to specify time-frame for start of water sports activities.
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