Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: Government today said that Phase-I of the Patnitop Ropeway Project is likely to be operational by December 2018.
Replying to the question of Congress MLA from Leh, Nawang Rigzin Jora in the Lower House, the Minister Incharge Tourism said that Patnitop Ropeway Project consists of three station terminals—Sangote, Kud and Patnitop.
“The work on Phase-I from Sangote to Patnitop terminal is underway and is expected to be operational by December 2018”, the Minister said, adding “Phase-II from Sangote to Kud will be completed within a period of three years”.
The Patnitop Ropeway was earlier allotted to M/s Nagarjuna Construction Company Hyderabad on BOOT basis in the year 2006 but the company could not start the work due to delay in forest clearance.
“Even after obtaining the forest clearance the company didn’t start the work despite repeated requests as a result of which contract was cancelled and fresh Expression of Interest was floated for the construction of project”, the Minister said, adding that the project is now being constructed by France company.
About the Jammu Aerial Ropeway Project, the Minister said that work was in progress and maximum civil work on all the four stations of the project has been completed. “The tower erection work of Section-II (Bahu to Mahamaya) has been completed and erection of station structure and equipment is under progress”, the Minister added.
The tower erection work of Section-I (Peerkho to Mahamaya) is nearing completion and so far out of seven towers five have been erected. “The Section-II of the cable car from Bahu to Mahamaya Park is scheduled for completion by end of next month. However, Section-I from Peerkho to Mahamaya Park is expected to be completed by May 2018 as critical components/imported parts are in transit from Turkey, Switzerland, Austria and Germany”, the Government said.
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