Jammu, May 15: Having faced prolonged delay since its announcement, the construction of the much hyped ropeway project from Mubarak Mandi palace to Mahamaya and Mahamaya to Bagh-e-Bahu is likely to begin in July.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that the tendering process for the project has already been completed by the nodal agency – the Cable Car Corporation Limited and the subsequent procedure including the allotment of work was in progress. “Three foreign construction companies, in collaboration with the local firms, have submitted the tenders. The CCC Limited management is in the process of finalization of the tenders” they said, adding that   tenders would be allotted to the lowest bidder soon.
 Sources further informed that Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of Union Forest and Environment Ministry has sought more details about the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) which have been finalized by the CCC.
 “EAC had also sought land use plan of the terminal points of the ropeway and had suggested to conduct the hearing of owners whose structures are situated along the ropeway installation area. The public hearing and land use of the terminal points and other formalities will be completed before June 25” Managing Director of Cable Car Corporation Limited, Talat Parvez said.
 He further said that the ropeway project was delayed after the local leaders insisted for having a state of art cable car similar to that in Gulmarag Kashmir. “Initially the government planned to involve some indigenous company to build a cable care a mix of modern and old technology. The tenders were also received from local companies but on the demand of the leaders to have a start of art cable car project, the earlier tenders were canceled and new tenders were invited” he said.
 “We had to re-invite the tenders and now three foreign players in collaboration with the local companies have submitted the tenders. The ropeway of Jammu will now be of the same technology like the one in Gulmarg” Talat Parvez said, adding that all the left out formalities would be completed by June, 25 and work would be started in the month of July.
 Pertinently the proposed Ropeway project is aimed at to add another tourist attraction to the city of temples. The ropeway would have 37 cabin lines from historical Mubarak Mandi Royal palace to Mahamaya park and onward to   Shahbad Bagh-e-Bahu. The Ropeway would have two sections across the river Tawi, one from Mubarak Mandi, Peerkho to Mohmaya Park and another from Mohmaya Park to Shahbad. Each cabin would have a capacity of six seats with modern ventilation facilities.
 The tenders were floated for design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of the project. From Mubarak Mandi to Mahamaya there will be detachable grip monocable ropeway, while the onward portion from Mahamaya to Shahbad near Bagh-e-B would have pulsated ropeway system.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 IST