New facilities to come up; service providers, others to get compensation
Increase in Industrial Package under consideration of MHA
All efforts will be made to make J&K terror-free in 2025
Business Rules will get nod after CSC forwards them
Kamal Rohmetra/ Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said they are open to talks with all stakeholders on Katra Ropeway project and a high-level committee is already in place for the purpose even as he assured that the pilgrimage will go up considerably and none including traders of the holy town will be at loss with commissioning of the new project.
In an exclusive interview to the Excelsior at Raj Bhawan here this morning, Sinha while focusing on Katra Mata Vaishno Devi Ropeway project also spoke in detail on the Government plans to crush terrorism and its ecosystem, proposed increase in industrial package, relations with the new Government, Business Rules etc.
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“A high-level committee is in place and its doors are open for talks with all stakeholders on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ropeway project. It has already held talks and it is ready to meet those agitating against the project. All issues can be settled through talks. There should be no politics on the project,” he said.
The Committee comprised Dr Ashok Bhan and Suresh Kumar Sharma, both Members SMVDSB, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and CEO SMVDSB Anshul Garg.
Referring to background of Passenger Ropeway Project dating back to 2017 following an order by the National Green Tribunal for phasing out mules operating on the track owing to environmental concerns and prevention of cruelty to animals, the Lieutenant Governor said there are around 11,000 service providers on the track and the Rehabilitation Scheme applicable for pithus can also be extended to others.
Among the service providers, there are 3844 ponywallahs, 4233 pithus and 3300 palkiwallahs.
“As far as Katra is concerned, the holy town will get further boost as ticketing counter for the ropeway project will be established at Niharika Bhawan located in heart of Katra town. For setting up Multi-Modal Terminal of Delhi-Katra Expressway at Katra, talks have already been held with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Pilgrimage will also go up and if it doesn’t increase, number of the pilgrims for ropeway project can be tagged,” Sinha, who is also chairman of SMVDSB, said. He added that two helipads are being constructed including the one for Shiv Khori pilgrims which will also benefit Katra town.
The ropeway will function only for 7-8 hours during the day. Between the day hours also, an hour will be fixed for lifting material.
“As far as the concerns of shopkeepers and other stakeholders on old track, the Lieutenant Governor assured upgradation of facilities on Ban Ganga track including lighting, Laser Light and Sound Show etc which will boost the pilgrimage within three years and if the yatra doesn’t increase, we are going to take guarantee for providing compensation which include Rs 50,000 and alternate livelihood arrangements,” Sinha said, adding the ropeway project will also be useful for emergency evacuations, movement of the Shrine Board staff and other such purposes.
Replying to a question on revision in the industrial package as existing amount of Rs 28,400 crore has been exhausted, the Lieutenant Governor said the proposal is under consideration of the Home Minister (Amit Shah) and we are confident that it will be approved.
“The proposal (for increase in the industrial package) has been taken up with the Home Minister. The issue is under his consideration. We are confident the hike will get the Home Ministry’s nod,” he said.
Mentioning that such an Industrial Policy was nowhere in the country, Sinha said the Government has so far received industrial investment proposals worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore. Of them, projects to the tune of Rs 19,000 crore are on ground while projects worth Rs 8,000 crore have started production and the numbers will go up to Rs 9,000 crore in March next.
He added that land has been a problem but new Industrial Estates are being created.
The Industrial Policy for Jammu and Kashmir to the tune of Rs 28,400 crore came into effect in April 2021. With massive response from the investors from the country and abroad, entire amount for subsidy has been exhausted. The Lieutenant Governor has forwarded proposal for increase in the amount to the Union Home Ministry, which is Nodal Ministry for the Union Territories, and it is expected that the Ministry will give its nod to the proposal soon.
On anti-terror front, Sinha said peaceful conduct of back-to-back Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the UT hasn’t been digested by the neighbor (a reference towards Pakistan) and whenever there is peace, there is infiltration of the terrorists. However, he added, this year 75 terrorists have been killed and, among them, 55 were foreign terrorists, which is a big achievement for security forces.
“During next few months, you will see good results on anti-terror front in the Jammu region,” he said, adding that in 2025 all efforts will be made to make Jammu and Kashmir terror-free.
“During last four years, we have achieved major successes not only against the terrorists but their entire ecosystem. Hartals and stone pelting have become history. No bandh now takes place at behest of the neighbor. Cinema halls are running and people including tourists are enjoying nightlife,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
However, he said, since there is Narendra Modi Government in place the people don’t want even a single incident to take place and that is our final target. Shortly, there will be more good results on the anti-terror front, he added.
Responding to a question on relations between the Lieutenant Governor and newly elected Government, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 has explained the rights.
“Every institution is working as per the Constitution,” he asserted. On when the ‘Business Rules’ will be released, the Lieutenant Governor said the UT Government has set up the Cabinet Sub Committee(CSC) for drafting the Rules which will be sent to his office.
“We will finalize the rules,” he said.
Background of ropeway project
* National Green Tribunal passed directions in 2017 for phasing out mules operating on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track owing to environmental concerns and prevention of cruelty to animals.
* Further, the Tribunal in its order dated 09.08.2017 asked the Government of J&K to consider a Rehabilitation Plan for the mule operators prohibited for plying on the track.
* A Rehabilitation Scheme for the mule owners was approved by the Government of J&K in 2018. It was proposed that the financial implication on account of the policy will be borne by the State Government and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
* The Supreme Court in a civil appeal titled Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board vs Gauri Maulekhi and others in its order dated 26.11.2018 directed a Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) to look into the issue of reduction of mules among other issues and submit a report after consultation with all stakeholders.
* The CEC after site visits and consultation with the stakeholders submitted its report to the Supreme Court on 12.07.2019 with detailed recommendations including provision of passenger ropeway facility from Katra preferably up to Sanjichhat by inviting global tenders and it was recommended that the work may be completed in 4 years.
* Approval granted to the ropeway project by the Shrine Board in its 69th meeting held in April, 2022 and M/s RITES appointed as the Consultant for the project.
* Constitution of High Level Committee by the Chairman in March. 2023 comprising Dr Ashok Bhan, Member SMVDSB, Suresh Kumar, Member SMVDSB, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and CEO SMVDSB for holding consultations with various stakeholders of Katra and Purana Daroor so as to address their concerns.
* Consultations held with the stakeholders by the High Level Committee on 09.05.2023 and 15.02.2024 at Katra, during the course of which it was decided to get a topography survey conducted through RITES on the Purana Daroor to Adhkuwari/ Sanjichhat alignment as suggested by the stakeholders.
* Detailed report received from M/s RITES with serious concerns on the feasibility of Purana Daroor to Adhkuwari / Sanjichhat alignment owing to lack of adequate land availability for LTP, steep hill slopes a challenge to tower foundations and rescue operations in case of exigencies, besides challenges posing in installation of geotechnical equipments etc. Accordingly, the Tarakote to Sanjichhat alignment was finalized for construction of the proposed passenger ropeway.* Detailed report received from M/s RITES with serious concerns on the feasibility of Purana Daroor to Adhkuwari / Sanjichhat alignment owing to lack of adequate land availability for LTP, steep hill slopes a challenge to tower foundations and rescue operations in case of exigencies, besides challenges posing in installation of geotechnical equipments etc. Accordingly, the Tarakote to Sanjichhat alignment was finalized for construction of the proposed passenger ropeway.
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