Tardy execution of projects started under the Prime Minister’s Development Programme has put brakes on further sanction of funds from the centre, officials say, affecting tourism infrastructure expansion.
Among the projects showing slow progress is integrateddevelopment of tourist facilities at Gulmarg, Baramulla, Kupwara and Leh underHimalayan circuit of Swadesh Darshan scheme of the central government.
“Of late we have been trying to expedite some of theseprojects. We have not made a big breakthrough but some progress is being madeand we hope by end of 2019-20 we will be able to complete the projects and getmore sanction from GoI,” said Khurshid Ganai, Advisor to the Governor holdingthe tourism portfolio.
According to officials, projects estimated at Rs 96 croreunder the PMDP scheme such as development of ethnic villages have beenwitnessing lackluster progress.
“Even as a large portion of funds has been released for theproject, work on most of them either remains to be incomplete or have missedthe deadlines for completion,” said a senior official wishing anonymity.
Another project under PMDP includes integrated developmentof tourist facilities at Mantalai, Sudhamadev, Patnitop under Himalayan Circuittheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme with central assistance of Rs 97 crore.
Officials say slow pace of work has also adversely affecteddevelopment of tourist facilities under the construction of assets inreplacement of buildings destroyed during 2014 floods under PMDP costing Rs 97crore.
“Development of tourist facilities at Anantnag, Kishtwar,Pahalgam, Daksum and Ranjit Sagar dam circuit in Jammu under Himalayan circuittheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme has been affected.
“State government has retendered some projects several timesand still not awarded the work,” said another official.
Among other PMDP proposed projects that have not seen lightof the day is Peer Ki Gali restaurants, viewing decks with approximate projectcost of Rs 3 crore.
“Gender based toilets and ATV parking at Faqir Gujri Harwan,Burzhama museum and interpretation center, and battery operated vehicles with acost of Rs 13 crore has not been fulfilled,” the official said.
“Development of a recreation park at Tatoo ground Batamaloo,Baghi Sadiq light and sound show with Rs 4 crore and Hari Parbat light andsound show with a cost of Rs 5.5 crore are also in limbo.”
A parliamentary committee in a scathing report last yearsaid, “little outcome was achieved” as only 22 per cent of the Prime Minister’sRs 80,000 crore development package for Jammu and Kashmir was released to thestate government
Advisor Ganai admitted that the execution of projects underPMDP has been slow, adding that the state had an indicative allocation of Rs2000 crore for tourism.
“Out of these projects worth Rs 569 crore are sanctioned byGovernment of India Ministry of Tourism of which Rs 342 crore have beenreleased against which an amount of nearly Rs 192 crore is the expenditure tillnow,” Ganai said.
“Work is going on but although we had submitted DPRs formany more projects worth Rs 800 crore but no more projects have been submittedby the union ministry of tourism ostensibly on the grounds that our executionhas been slow.” Ganai said.