From Our Correspondent
SIJU, Sep 2: The old adage goes that seeing is believing. However, after one pays a visit to one of the most picturesque areas of the entire Garo Hills, Siju Dobakkol, one is left wondering as to whether the state government is actually here to help in developing infrastructure or just plain greedy to make hay while the sun shines.
The reason for the above tirade by the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Siju unit, is the fact that at least five out of seven tourism projects, which were supposed to beautify as well as make Siju the destination everyone would flock to, remain incomplete. Further, almost every project has been provided exaggerated sanctions with the work already in tatters, just a year after its completion.
The GSU on Monday called on South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner to submit a complaint about the projects, while seeking an investigation into what exactly took place.
The projects in question are a bird-watch tower (Rs 75 lakh), a parking-cum-approach road (about Rs 2.2 crore), and an adventure theme park that includes a ropeway (about 7 metre), a rock-climbing set-up and a circle mesh, which together has been built at over Rs 2.5 crore.
Further, a zip lining (Rs 75 lakh) set-up, which was supposed to have been built across the Simsang River over Siju, has gone completely missing.
The only two things still intact are the Siju Caves Interpretation Centre and cafeteria along with the landscape project.
Locals had objected to illumination within the caves which meant that the same could not be implemented.
The projects were sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Ministry Of Tourism, under the aegis of development of North East circuit (Siju Caves) for a total amount of over Rs 9.10 crore. Work was started in Jun 2020 with 30 months being provided for its completion.
In their complaint, the GSU has accused the contractors of not completing their work with either the complete or partial money being withdrawn by the contractors.
The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) had filed an RTI application which provided details of the projects under the scheme but a report of completion was not provided. Another RTI, as per them, will be filed to get further necessary information.
“The works were to be completed in 2023 and despite the time already getting over, these projects are far from complete and are unusable. The concerned contractors have betrayed the trust of the government and the community, and for the development of tourism in Garo Hills. We are really disappointed,” added GSU general secretary, Welbing Sangma.
Recently, a visit was paid by the CSO along with social activist, Nilbath Marak, all of whom were left amazed at what they saw.
Siju Dobakkol is about 4 km from the main centre and is connected by a PMGSY road, which leaves one right near the caves.
One of the projects was a parking-cum-approach road worth above Rs 2.19 crore.
While the parking has been completed there is no approach road to be found as the PMGSY road ends right at the parking.
“The rock-climbing structure is completely damaged; the planks on the ropeway have come off its joints and are currently dangling. The total area where the adventure park has been set up near the caves is small and as to how these infrastructures have been shown to cost Rs 2.5 crore is beyond understanding,” said Nilbath.
What has infuriated locals is the fact that within just a year, the adventure park with its paraphernalia (rock climbing, ropewalk and adventure rope) would become unusable.
“We were happy over the fact that the tourism department had decided to finally give Siju the due it deserved and welcomed the projects when it (Contd on P-4)
GSU calls for probe…
(Contd from P-3) was announced. Little did we know that these projects would come at such exaggerated costs – all of which has come out of our pockets,” said unit president, Ralseng Marak.
Nilbath was scathing in his assessment of the situation, stating that almost every project has been provided exaggerated sanctions – to the tune of 10 times the actual cost.
“In what world are the objects in the adventure park worth Rs 2.5 crore and how is the bird-watch tower worth Rs 75 lakh? Where is the approach road to the parking area and the zip line? This is public money that is being used and I think there are a lot of things that everyone involved needs to answer for,” said Nilbath.