Water sports and allied activities have enough scope both in Kashmir valley as well as in Jammu region as nature has blessed Jammu and Kashmir with enough sources of water which besides catering to basic human needs, not only takes care of our agriculture but can promote sports and tourism in a significant way. In fact, many states in the country are not as fortunate as this part of the country in that respect. Perhaps , in recognition of that reality and to have it explored , developed and harnessed in a better and organised way coupled with creating the requisite infrastructure, Prime Minister’s Development Projects (PMDP) comprised two water sports centres at a cost of Rs.3 crore each at Srinagar at Nehru Park Dalgate and in Jammu at Ranjit Sagar Lake Basholi in Kathua district.
We are, time and again, drawing the attention of the authorities particularly those of Tourism Department , J&K Sports Council and others about an approach of casualness and non- seriousness which land near the confines of discrimination when it comes to Jammu’s projects or interests. It may be sophisticated equipment for healthcare, Kashmir would get preference over Jammu . Just in case we go through the ”travails” which in setting up of an eye bank at Jammu are recounted, it would prove the point not to speak of other facilities which Jammu has to wait for and get only after voices are raised. In sports, like the issue under reference , we are happy that the water sports centre at Srinagar was not only completed to be operational but the same was duly inaugurated too by Lieutenant Governor , Manoj Sinha three months back . What about the one in respect of Jammu , perhaps, is no concern of the Government.
We understand and have commented upon through these columns a few weeks back that the Basholi Water Sports was hyped to be the first of its kind in Northern India and had multi faceted activities associated like swimming, rafting, rowing , water polo and the like and would have generated not only sports activities but mini adventurous activities too getting connected to promoting tourism and opening up opportunities for allied economic activities around the centre in Basholi. At the start , visits of authorities like Advisors to the Governor etc were paid to the actual site at the Ranjit Sagar Dam falling in our area where this Sports Centre was proposed to be set up, to inspect and analyse the quality of the tourist facilities as also appraise the levels of construction of the Sports Centre. This Centre had the promise to nurture, groom and properly train the sports athletes to be in a position to go in for competitive events since there is no dearth of young, enthusiastic and budding sports talent in Jammu region.
The construction of the work on the Sports Centre started last year but it plunged into a state of hiccups mainly because as is wont to starting of most of the Governmental projects , revenue related issues crop up because before going in for the start, perhaps land related documents are not perused and scrutinised efficiently . Either the title is defective or there are issues in respect of compensation and rehabilitation etc and the same thing happened in the instant case too. We have, however, learnt that although the compensation money is settled and paid , yet the transfer of the land to the Sports Council has not taken place. There can be problems especially when , we are afraid, there is scantiness for requisite efficiency , dedication and taking of due care by the concerned authorities but when despite all odds, which we need not elaborate including that of non – availability of labour due to peak time of the COVID-19 pandemic , Kashmir Sports Centre could come up, why the same enthusiasm and dedication was not shown in respect of Jammu Sports project? Sports Council must come up to its credentials in treating fairly both the regions of the Union Territory . The delay in the Jammu Sports Centre should be a cause of concern to the authorities not only on account of expected cost escalation but “other factors” too.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel