Centre nod to forest clearance for Ranjit Sagar lake project

To be developed as water sports & tourism hub

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, May 27

Hospitality honchos are eyeing the twin islands of Kalara and Naloh Tikka Pilangi in the Ranjit Sagar Dam Lake following the state government’s decision to develop a world class water sports and tourism hub.

In 2014, the then Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal flew in hoteliers from Delhi, Mumbai and Pune in a special flight to enable them to have a feel of things. However, the project hit a roadblock when the Union Government dithered on giving it the mandatory forest clearance, which has now been granted, following which the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) has floated a global tender. The venture will be operated on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The project has been rechristened as the ‘International Standard Tourism Theme Destination in Punjab.’ The last date for submitting proposals is June 30.

Sources say real-estate prices in and around the lake in Dhar block are set to see a manifold increase. Politicians and bureaucrats, too, are keeping themselves abreast of the developments.

“Resort interpretation-cum-convention centers, eco-villas and eco-resorts will be established. Nature and water sports activities will also be held at the lake,” said Sanjeev Tiwari, Divisional Forest Officer. Officials are pegging the cost of the venture at anything between Rs 300 and Rs 400 crore.

“A lot of money will be invested. Land prices have already increased ever since the tender was published. A majority of the hoteliers had closed shop in the past two years following the Covid-induced inertia. Now, they see a glimmer of hope. Moreover, construction of new highways means tourists now cross over to the neighbouring states of HP and J&K without making a stopover in the area as they used to do earlier. This has resulted in a massive loss of revenue for hoteliers. Now, as the project comes up, same hoteliers are seeing their El-Dorado in the area,” said a prominent businessman.