By R.C.BHAT
Jammu: The project for artificial lake in Jammu was started in 2012 with a mission and purpose to get it start in 2014 so as to promote tourism in Jammu.
Officials had assumed that this would be one of the steps to make Jammu as independent tourist destination but the idea conceived was deflated.
Missing deadlines have marred the project despite infusion of crores of rupees by the government .
Three departments including Flood Control, Tourism and UEED were involved and funds were allocated to them separately for different purposes to complete the project in scheduled time period.
In the initial stage, the government has allocated Rs 70 crore to Flood & Control for constructing barrages and other barricades to collect the water for making it a lake. The department has almost completed more than 70% work allotted to them within specific time period but later it went contrary reason better know to the.
Whereas the government has allotted Rs 10 crore to Tourism department for constructing tourism related things on the banks to beautify and other comforts and also it has spent 50% funds and completed half the work, but the remaining work has been deliberately withheld due to some hidden intention.
The third department was UEED and government allotted Rs 30 crore to divert 17 nallahs falling in the Tawi to keep the lake water clean but the UEED has not completed its job, which remained a hindrance in completing the project. The UEED has missed its target and became instrumental in lingering the project.
Later, the pillars get tilted due to heavy flood and PHE minister Mr Sham Lal said that 40% damage is been wreaked due to flood. But he assured that Artificial Lake would be completed and presented to people of Jammu but he failed to chalk out the specific time period.
There are several issues confronting with this project as Kashmiri leadership has hidden agenda not to develop Jammu as the importance of Kashmir may be lessened but the leaders of Jammu could not understand it or have no wisdom or courage to understand it.
Whereas, All Jammu Hotel Lodges Association under the dynamic leadership of its chairman Inderjeet Khajuria has fought a long battle with government as the government was trying to obsolete the project from the scene better know to them.
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