Work on first phase of Tawi Riverfront project under Jammu Smart City to be completed by Jan : LG Sinha
Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Nov 25 :
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the genuine concerns of the people protesting against the proposed ropeway project along the Mata Vaishno Devi route would looked after.
Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), said a committee headed by the divisional commissioner of Jammu had already talked to the stakeholders to build a consensus on the development projects.
He was talking to reporters after taking stock of the ongoing Tawi Riverfront project in the heart of the city.
Responding to a question on the stone-pelting incident in Katra on the fourth day of the strike against the construction of the ropeway project, the Lt Governor said the concerns with regard to loss of employment are being taken care of.
However, he said there would be no compromise with development projects and creating ample employment opportunities for the people.
A march by shopkeepers and labourers against the proposed ropeway project along the trek route leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine took an ugly turn on Monday as some protesters clashed with police at the Katra base camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. The protesters are demanding that the project be shut down or compensation for all those likely to be affected.
A police official was injured in the stone pelting by the protesters but the situation was immediately brought under control with deployment of additional forces, officials said.
The strike by shopkeepers, and pony and palanquin owners began on Friday after the Shrine Board announced plans to proceed with a Rs 250-crore passenger ropeway project between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track and complete it within two years.
Last week, the shrine board announced the implementation of the long-awaited ropeway project to facilitate a safer and faster journey for the pilgrims.
“The ropeway project will be a game changer, especially for those pilgrims who find it challenging to undertake the steep trek to the shrine,” shrine board CEO Anshul Garg had said.
The project had been shelved in the past due to similar protests.
While the shopkeepers up to three kilometres of the trek shut their establishments for the fourth day, the pony and palanquin owners also stayed away causing hardships to many pilgrims.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday conducted the on-site inspection and reviewed the progress of the Tawi Riverfront project.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the officers and implementing agencies to accelerate the pace of work for the completion of the prestigious project in a time-bound manner.
Interacting with the media persons, the Lieutenant Governor said: “The work on the first phase of this flagship project under Jammu Smart City is expected to be completed by January 2025.
The Tawi Riverfront project will expand the tourism potential of Jammu. Many other projects and initiatives like Jambu Zoo, Light & Sound Show, Temple of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have already been completed to further increase the tourism potential of Jammu Division.
Around 5000-6000 people are visiting Suchetgarh and Tirumala Tirupati Temple every day. The number is increasing during the weekend. Efforts are being made to create more such destinations in Jammu city and Jammu region with the assistance of the Government of India. I congratulate Jammu Smart City, it was a difficult project, I hope that the people of Jammu will enjoy the Tawi Riverfront,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied among others by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary; Jal Shakti Department; Dr Mandeep Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Devansh Yadav, CEO Jammu Smart City Limited .
