Experts to finalise site for Saurabh Van Vihar: MP

Our Correspondents

Palampur,  October 10

Kangra MP Shanta Kumar on Monday said the site for the reconstruction of Saurabh Van Vihar would be finalised by a team of experts. He said at the moment, he could not say anything as crores of rupees would be needed for the reconstruction of Van Vihar.

The MP said the Van Vihar would definitely be reconstructed, it was not just a tourist destination, but also a memorial of Captain Saurabh Kalia, martyred in the Kargil War.

He stated that it was the moral responsibility of the government to reconstruct the memorial.

After visiting the site, an emotional Shanta said being his dream project, he had invested crores of rupees in it by procuring funds from different government and private agencies and also MPLAD funds. But today all he could see was destruction.

He said he had already spoken to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who had assured him help. He also admitted that the present site was prone to floods and which was why a second thought for the venue needed to be given. The Saurabh Van Vihar was washed away in the recent flash floods.

Local environmental groups have asked the government and Shanta to look for a new site where the Van Vihar could be shifted.