Even SPV for Ropeway Projects yet to be formulated
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 17: After months of deliberations and official reviews, two critical infrastructure initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir–the handover of approach roads built under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department and formation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Ropeway Projects continue to remain stalled.
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Official sources told EXCELSIOR that to facilitate transportation of men, material and machinery for the execution of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, 29 approach roads spanning cumulative 201.46 kilometers were constructed by the Railways in the Katra-Banihal Section.
After completion of the project, the J&K Government decided to take over these roads from the Railways to ensure regular maintenance and upkeep especially in the light of the fact that these approach roads are benefiting the local populations and facilitating connectivity.
Some months back, deliberations were held, in a high-level meeting, on the modalities for takeover of approach roads by the J&K’s Public Works (R&B) Department. It was revealed in the meeting that the land acquisition proceedings for these roads are largely complete, with no court cases currently pending.
Accordingly, it was decided that to facilitate a smooth transition a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Railways and J&K PWD to formalize these arrangements. Keeping in view the importance of these roads for local connectivity, it was decided that the stake holding departments will expedite the handover process to ensure their sustained upkeep.
“Although a joint inspection of these roads has been carried out by teams from the Railways and J&K PWD, the modalities for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two departments are yet to be finalized”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “this MoU is required to formalize the transfer process and ensure the regular maintenance and upkeep of these vital connectivity links”.
An officer familiar with the matter said, “the process seems to have stalled after the inspection exercise. No tangible headway has been made in finalizing the MoU or establishing clear responsibilities for the handover”.
“These roads are crucial for local connectivity and serve as lifelines for several habitations in the hilly districts. After completion of the USBRL Project, the Railways’ focus naturally shifts away from road maintenance, which makes it imperative that these roads are swiftly taken over by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department,” the officer added.
According to the sources, delays risk deterioration of these roads, especially ahead of the winter season when maintenance is critical in hilly terrain. “It would be only after formal takeover of these roads that the R&B Department will arrange funds and thereafter float tenders for maintenance works as such keeping in view the procedural formalities involved, swiftness should have been shown in signing Memorandum of Understanding with the Railways”, they added.
Meanwhile, there is no progress on the constitution of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for several ropeway projects proposed across Jammu and Kashmir.
“These ropeway projects aimed at boosting tourism and providing alternative connectivity in difficult terrains have been under discussion for quite some time, but the formal institutional mechanism for their implementation remains unformed”, sources said, adding “SPV is typically created to oversee project financing, execution and long-term management in coordination with various departments and private stakeholders”.
“The absence of SPV has effectively stalled the preparatory and implementation stages of these projects”, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) is undertaking Detailed Project Report (DPR) bids for several other ropeway projects across Jammu & Kashmir, including Sonamarg-Thajiwas Glacier, Bhaderwah to Seojhdar, Baltal-Amarnath Cave, Doodpathri from Parihas to Diskhal and Nashri Tunnel to Sanasar Ropeway.
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