Three years on, shikaras yet to sail on Harike lake

Anirudh Gupta

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Ferozepur, August 1

After putting brakes on the much-hyped amphibious bus project launched by the SAD-BJP in 2016 to boost tourism in Harike Bird Sanctuary, the state government is yet to come up with an alternative plan to introduce pedal boats or shikaras as promised by it earlier.

Even the amphibious bus purchased from the Swedish automobile giant, Scania, at cost of Rs 8.6 crore is gathering dust for the past three years. Though, after scrapping the project the Tourism Department had decided to auction the same, but the process has not been completed to date.

Dubbed as the “dream project” of former Deputy Chief Minister and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, the “Harike cruise” was mired into controversies from the beginning. However, it took off amid much fanfare after overcoming initial teething issues in December 2016, but lasted just for a few days before the then Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu discontinued the same. Sidhu termed it an ill-conceived proposal and atrocious waste of public money. He had announced that a ground-breaking project to develop eco-tourism in Harike will be launched, but it is nowhere in the sight to date.

Around 20 employees, including driver Derick Merc were hired by a private company for the Harike cruise project, which also gave indirect employment to 150 more persons, but they too have been left in the lurch after its discontinuation.

“This bird sanctuary, which is one of the Ramsar sites, has huge tourism potential to generate crores for the state exchequer. However, it is unfortunate that it has become a victim of political one-upmanship due to which bird lovers are feeling dejected,” Rajneesh Kumar, an environmentalist, said, adding that if proper infrastructure was provided, even it could attract foreign tourists as the Amritsar airport was not far away.

Ironically, the lack of will and initiative has denied this place its due and deprived hundreds of people an opportunity for employment and business in this region.

Scrapped by Sidhu in 2016

• The “Harike cruise”, the dream project of former Dy CM Sukhbir Badal, was mired into controversies from beginning
• After overcoming initial teething issues, the project took off amid much fanfare in December 2016, but lasted just for a few days before the then Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu discontinued it
• He termed it an ill-conceived proposal and atrocious waste of public money