Saraswati project revives hopes for tourism sector

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Yamunanagar, December 30

The bordering district of Yamunanagar got the ambitious Saraswati Revival Project in 2015. With the completion of the project, the district will come on the international map in terms of tourism.

The project has multi-dimensional aspects such as development of eco-tourism, pilgrim tourism and recreation. Besides religious importance, the project will prove to be a milestone in water conservation, water harvesting, groundwater recharging, flood protection and improvement in ecological balance. The inauguration of the excavation work of the Saraswati Revival Project was done by Assembly Speaker Kanwarpal Gurjar on April 21. Besides, Topra Kalan village, where Ashoka Edict Park, seven Ashoka pillars, eight rock edicts and other ancient structures of Moaurian times will be developed with the help of the Centre and the state, will attract tourists from across the world.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways granted administrative approval and allocated Rs 31.29 crore for the improvement of the busy Saharanpur-Kurukshetra road in Yamunanagar district. The development is significant as the width of this 20-km stretch, falling between Alipura village and Vishwakarma chowk in Yamunanagar district, will be increased from 6.7 m to 10 m. The width of the road, falling in Kurukshetra, is already 10 m. The construction work of four-six laning of the 105-km stretch of National Higway-73 covering three districts comprising Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar has been hanging fire for years.

The National Highway Authority has allotted tenders for this project twice, but the construction work is yet to begin. Similarly, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced a number of projects, including college at Bilaspur and Radaur, polytechnic at Sadhaura and a cow sanctuary on 100 acres at Malikpur Bangar village. The issue of the construction of a stadium in Tigra village simmered for several months. People of the upper caste wanted to construct the stadium, but the Dalits were against it. The local administration had to impose prohibitory orders in the village to maintain law and order. But later, people of both the communities compromised, following intervention of DC SS Phulia.

Highs 

The district got the Saraswati Revival Project

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways allocated Rs 31.29 crore for the improvement of the Saharanpur-Kurukshetra road in Yamunanagar district

Lows 

The issue of the construction of a stadium in Tigra village sparked tension between the upper caste and the Dalits. The local administration had to impose prohibitory orders in the village to maintain law and order