Tawi Lake – What’s next?

The incumbent government while taking over the work of Jammu Tawi Artificial Lake Project had assured that the things will be streamlined and sooner than later this lake will become a reality giving a big push to tourism and employment generation. In this context, the then Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Smart City Project Limited, Rahul Yadav has claimed in the month of June this year that the civil work of the ongoing project will be completed by October-November and it will thereafter be dedicated to the public although he had also assured that following completion of civil work, beautification work will be taken up. The news reports published in June had also divulged citing Rahul that the entire project is worth Rs 180 crore out of which Rs 150 crore are being spent on the civil works. It was also pertinent to mention that the then CEO Jammu Smart City Project Limited had also said that the project is important with the tourism aspect as it will not only increase the tourist influx but also boost the local economy. There is no doubt in the fact that the work on the Artificial Lake project, which had missed several deadlines since 2012 was expedited after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha consulted several stakeholders and experts, and ordered its resumption under Smart City and Tawi River Front projects. All said and done, the October month is at its fag end and soon November will approach but the status of percentage of work done with regard to aforesaid project seems to be not as per assurance given by the then CEO in June making it clear that time has come to extend the deadline once again disappointing the people of the UT especially Jammu City, who reposed undaunted faith in the working of incumbent government. It is pertinent to mention that the aforesaid Artificial Lake is being constructed at Belicharana near the fourth bridge of Jammu city with an aim to attract tourists and devotees. On completion, it will be around 1.5 km long and 600 meters wide.