Much hyped vertical lift, Circular Road bridge
Frequent reviews fail to move plans beyond files
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 31: It was projected as a game-changing intervention that would permanently alter Jammu’s tourism landscape by linking the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex with the Peer Kho Ropeway Station through a modern vertical lift and further connecting the complex to Circular Road through a 250-metre-span bridge.
But years after the idea was first floated and discussed in countless official meetings chaired by numerous senior bureaucrats, the reality on the ground is harshly simple—not a single pillar has come up, not a single foundation has been laid and nobody is in a position to say who will actually execute the projects.
The proposed lift was conceived to create a seamless two-way movement of tourists and pilgrims, integrating Jammu’s heritage assets with its religious tourism circuit. The bridge was intended to remove accessibility bottlenecks and make the sprawling heritage complex more visitor-friendly particularly after the complete restoration of its crumbling buildings.
“For years, the projects have resurfaced in review meetings, departmental deliberations and official discussions. Every few months, the proposals are examined and discussed afresh. Yet the outcome remains unchanged”, official sources privy to the status of both the projects told EXCELSIOR.
They said, “as far as vertical lift is concerned, numerous local contractors raise pre-bid queries but when it comes to participation in the tendering process, they prefer to stay away. Due to this, repeated tendering exercises have failed to reach a logical conclusion till date”.
Further, efforts to obtain expert assessment of the project’s viability and reasons behind lack of response from the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) have yet to yield any encouraging results and status of the vertical lift project continues to remain the same as was at the stage of its conception, they informed.
“In such a situation, nobody knows when this vertical lift project will become a reality”, sources wondered, while disclosing that during the past few months no serious discussion has been held on the hanging fate of this project.
Similar is the fate of 250-metre span bridge connecting Circular Road with Mubarak Mandi, the plan for which was chalked out years ago.
After receiving no response to the repeated tenders for the bridge, the authorities concerned carried out certain changes in its design and then invited fresh bids. But, much to the disappointment of everyone associated with the project, there was only one response and this has led to floating of tender once again, sources informed.
“We are still not sure about good response to the fresh tender as pre-bid queries generally refer to the difficult location of the bridge”, they said while disclosing that this bridge will connect Circular Road with Gole Ghar area of the Mubarak Mandi Complex.
The hanging fate of these projects is notwithstanding the fact that they are essential for unlocking the full potential of the already restored buildings of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex and those structures that are slated to be fully restored in the coming months.
“Massive investments have already been made over the years on restoration and conservation works within the heritage complex. The restoration without accessibility is like building a destination without providing a road to reach it”, observers said, adding “a heritage complex cannot thrive on architectural beauty alone. Visitors need convenient access, integrated tourism facilities and seamless connectivity. Without these, restoration risks becoming an expensive exercise with limited public impact”.
How many more meetings will it take before the first stone is laid? Until that question is answered with action rather than assurances, the Mubarak Mandi connectivity projects will remain what they have been for years-a grand vision stranded in bureaucratic files, observers added.
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