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| Tourism deptt reduces Sidhra Golf Course into private domain of chosen few | | | Arun Singh
Jammu, Apr 24: The idea of promoting high end golf tourism in Jammu and Kashmir through the three golf courses of Srinagar, Gulmarg and Jammu is dying a slow death due to the lack of vision on part of the Tourism department of the state, especially with regards to the Sidhra golf course where unwarranted restrictions have reduced this public property into the domain of the chosen few.
Sources told Early Times that the development of 18 holes Golf Course Sidra was taken up in 2007 with an objective of promoting golf tourism in Jammu but surprisingly only chosen few have been allowed to enter the premises of the Golf course, defeating the purpose of its inception.
They further said that the Tourism Department without accord of Administrative Approval (AA) and Technical Sanction (TS) took up development of 18 hole golf course on the left bank of river Tawi at Sidhra Jammu at an estimated cost of Rs 37.39 crore (revised cost). The work was targeted for completion in two phases viz. phase first up to nine holes and phase second from 10 to 18 holes alongwith other allied works.
Sources said that expenditure of Rs 31.03 crore was incurred on completion of first phase and part works of the second phase. However, no golf activity except for inaugural event since 2011 for attracting the tourists had been carried out and the facility was used for few golfers who occasionally visit the golf course, they said adding that the golf course had not been put to intended use. They said that out of total land requirement of 1385 kanals a total of 1066 kanals of forest land was diverted for this purpose by the State Government. Already overrunning from its scheduled time period which has to be completed in two years of its commencement but till date work has not been completed.
Moreover no trained staff like caddies and other service providers had been engaged or trained for the purpose except some need based and casual labourers engaged for maintenance and upkeep of the Golf Course. |
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