| 19 months on, department fails to repair TRC Bhaderwah | | Tourism promotion claims fall flat | | Bijay Charak
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 21: The tall claims of Tourism department, of promoting tourism across the state have fallen flat as Tourist Reception Center Bhaderwah which suffered damage in the 2012 quake remains in ruins to this day.
Sources informed Early Times that 19 months ago, the Tourist Reception Center (TRC) building established at Dandi Bhaderwah was damaged due to earthquake on May 1, 2013, following which same was declared unsafe. "The building needs repairs but so far no action has been taken by the department despite the fact that tourists are likely to visit Bhaderwah to witness snowfall in coming days", sources said and adding that moreover, dozens of employees posted at TRC have been drawing salary for the last nineteen months, without doing any work.
They further said that 12 employees of the Tourism department, which were deputed at TRC including one Assistant Tourist Officer, one receptionist, two cooks, two waiters and five helpers have been waiting for repairs of TRC building.
"Moreover, the Center Public Work Department (CPWD), which had constructed the TRC has allegedly occupied one out of two huts constructed for tourists", they said, adding that another hut was occupied by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA).
The damage caused to TRC during earthquakes, sources said, also raised finger over the material used by CPWD in the construction of TRC. "Bhaderwah is already in seismic zone and there is every threat of earthquakes in Bhaderwah, so any building which is constructed without any preventive measures from earthquakes, raises finger over structure of building, which even fails to bear a small earthquake", an official said, adding that the TRC was completed in the year 2010 at the cost of Rs.2.75 Crores, and it seemed that the money has been wasted.
Sources further disclosed that official figures revealed that more than 12000 tourists had visited Bhaderwah, during last year to enjoy the beauty of its icy capped peaks, streams, lakes and lush green meadows, but there was acute scarcity of government infrastructure for tourists.
At one hand tourism department in its official website, claimed that Bhadarwah, which is located on the foothills of middle Himalayas has great tourism potential but same has failed to ensure proper facilities for the tourists. Moreover, the Bhaderwah town is endowed with breath-taking natural beauty, which is why it is popularly called "mini Kashmir". Despite repeated call to Director Tourism Jammu, RP Verma didn't pick the call. |
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