Red tape delays cable car project again

Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service|
Jammu, October 15

Lack of coordination between the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation and Forest department of the state has delayed the ropeway project in Jammu.

Despite completion of technical works, the Bahu Fort-Mahamaya-Peerkho cable car project has missed another deadline of October and now it is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

The corporation, which is the executing agency of the project, has completed the works and conducted a trial run and load check on the ropeway. However, basic facilities like road connectivity, water supply, washrooms, passenger shed and passenger waiting area are yet to be completed.

Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Adviser to the Governor, had on Saturday reviewed the progress of the project and taken a ride of the cable car.

“The Adviser was informed that the forest department was not allowing the PHE department to lay pipes for a reservoir at Mahamaya Temple to fulfil the need of water for washrooms and other usage,” the source said, adding that the Adviser had promised that he would look into the matter.

The corporation has paid Rs 45 lakh to the PHE department for supplying water at all three stations of the cable car project but the department has stopped the work due to interference of the forest department.

“The corporation has been given the permission to lay their towers for the cable car in the Mahamaya forest area up to the Tawi riverbed but there are some components which were not mentioned in the signed MoU,” said Mohan Das, conservator, forests, Jammu.

“We cannot allow them unless they get a forest clearance to lay the pipes,” he added.

Aiming another tourist attraction in Jammu city, the Rs 75-crore project will have two phases from Bahu Fort to Mahamaya with eight cabins in the first phase and from Mahamaya to Peerkho with 14 cabins in the second phase.