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| Makhdoom Sahib ropeway goes defunct to expose Rs 10 cr scam | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 5: While anti-graft bodies strangled to save the sharks, the Makhdoom Sahib ropeway has brought Rs 10 Cr scam to the fore by going defunct.
The much-hyped Makhdoom Sahib ropeway, which ran right over Srinagar's biggest graveyard, the Malkha has gone defunct within two years of its inauguration.
Officials confirmed that the Makhdoom Sahib ropeway in downtown here is closed since May 17 this year as its operation was a "threat to life of passengers".
Official sources said a recent inspection report has revealed that ropes and towers of the ropeway are unsafe and thus could endanger lives of the passengers. They said at the time of the ropeway's inauguration, no clearance was sought from the Environment Management Committee, though mandatory.
Inaugurated in December 2013, the 550 meter ropeway has been built by Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) through Kolkatta based Ropeway and Resorts Pvt Ltd. Sources said at the time of the project execution, the then government was so eager to get the ropeway completed that it allegedly ignored some of the basic safety norms laid down for such constructions.
Sources alleged that the concerned MLA and the then Law Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar was on the forefront of getting the project completed by hook or crook. "In doing so he asked the concerned officials not to pay any heed to legal issues of adhering to the laid down norms like clearance from the Environment Management Committee as he being the Law Minister would take care of the issues," said a senior official privy to the project execution.
Sources said the then Managing Director JKCCC Tufail Mattoo who wanted to be in the good books of the then government pressurized his subordinates to avoid adhering to norms for speedy completion of the project.
Experts said had the quality check of machinery been done in time, there would have been no trouble .
The General Manager JKCCC Badrul Jamali has been saying that it was only on May 1 this year that they found some of the components in the ropeway defective.
"We have sought explanation from the Company which designed the ropeway. An inspection was carried out on May 1 this year and defective components were found in the ropeway. Later, the ropeway had to be closed down due to risk involved in its continuity. The ropeway is under warranty and the concerned company has been asked to rectify the wrongs at an earliest. We are expecting its resumption within three weeks," Jamali told media persons.
Officials said the revenue collected from the "flawed project" has been "nothing but peanuts." "The revenue collected from the project so far has been mere Rs 25 lakh. And this was spent to clear the electricity dues," sources said.
Meanwhile highly placed sources said the ruling PDP won't initiate any inquiry into the alleged scam as the official who was incharge of the project happens to be close to a senior minister in the coalition. "If inquiry is ordered he will be the first one to be in trouble but as he is heading a pivotal post and he (minister) doesn't want him to be in trouble," said the source adding otherwise Vigilance Organization Kashmir was about to file case.
Despite repeated attempts Sagar who is accused of patronizing the project in the absence of the legal clearance, could not be contacted for comments. |
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