| 7 months on, Tourism Deptt fails to repair TRC Bhaderwah | | 11 employees drawing salaries without any work | | Bijay Charak
Jammu, Dec 12: The tall claims of Tourism department, of providing every facility for the tourists visiting various destinations have fallen flat as it has failed to repair the Tourist Reception Center, which had suffered damages around six months back due to earthquake. Moreover, the 11 employees posted at TRC have been drawing salaries for the last six months, without doing any work.
Sources informed Early Times that nearly seven months back, 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 Bhaderwah expects tourists during this time of the year", sources said. They further said that 12 employees of the Tourism department, which were posted at TRC including one Assistant Tourist Officer, one receptionist, two cooks, two waiters and five helpers have been rendered jobless, 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 falls in vulnerable seismic zone and hence it is imperative to construct quake resistant buildings in the region", an official said, adding that the TRC was completed in the year 2010 at the cost of Rs.2.75 Crores, but the construction was sub standard.
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".
When contacted Director Tourism Jammu, Soujanya Sharma said that they have formulated a project for repairs of the TRC. "Once the proposal is approved, the repairs of TRC will be done", he said, adding that this year it would not be possible to undertake repairs. |
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