Dodpathri meadow virtually cut off by road

SYED ALI SAFVI

DODPATHRI, May 13: Nestling amidst lush pine trees at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level, Dodpathri, one of the largest meadows in Kashmir valley, is an exotic place with breathtaking landscape. However, the picturesque Dodpathri is virtually cut off from rest of the valley as result of dilapidated road network.
The government is planning to officially throw open Dodpathri by the end of this month for foreign and domestic tourists. However, owing to slow pace of work on Bugroo-Khansahib-Dodpathri

road, it is highly unlikely that the tourist spot can be opened in time.

Dodpathri is just 50 kilometers away from Srinagar city, but the rundown road makes it a perilous journey. The 12 kilometers stretch from Khansahib to Dodpathri is in dilapidated condition. If you are traveling to Dodpathri make sure you exercise utmost caution.
The state government has reiterated its commitment off and on that Dodpathri will be developed as a model tourist spot. However, lack of field staff coupled by untidy handling of project by R&B, PDD and PHE departments have become an impediment to the development of Dodpathri.

On October 12, 2009, minister for tourism, Nwang Rigzin Jora, had, in a project review meeting, directed the concerned executing agencies to start allotted works within a week, but the minister’s directions fell on deaf ears.
Funds to the tune of Rs 22.5 crore were allotted to R&B department for construction of 20 kilometers Bogru-Khansahib-Dodpathri road, but the department has failed to meet the deadline.
The department has paid Rs 20 lakh as land compensation to forest department against acquisition of forest land. The work, however, is going on at snail’s pace. So far, R&B department has failed to complete the road even up to Raiyar.
“We were expecting large number of tourists this season,” said an official of Dodpathri Development Authority (DDA). “We have lost all hope thanks to the non-serious attitude of R&B department which failed to build the road despite getting funds for the same.”

Jora had directed PHE department to provide basic facility of drinking water to the area out of its own funding, but the department failed to do so.

A DPR regarding the provision of drinking water supply at Dodpathri had been submitted by DDA to secretary to tourism department under state sector 2009-2010 vide no CEO/DDA/342 dated September 4, 2009. The project cost of the scheme was estimated to be Rs 242 lakh. The project never started.

Now, according to a revised DPR the estimated cost has gone up to Rs 304 lakh.

District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Mohammad Rafi, while chairing a review meeting on April 20, 2010 had directed the PHE department to explore means of funding the scheme on its own out of various schemes available with the department. However, not a single pipe has been laid for the purpose of providing drinking water to the area.

The department was also directed to provide water supply to the uncovered areas out of 24 villages/hamlets coming under the jurisdiction of DDA.

Similarly, Power Development Department (PDD) was directed to set up a receiving station at Khansahib Budgam having 6.3 MVA capacity for a length of 11.4 kilometers upto Parihas. The department was also directed to set up two sub stations between Parihas and Dodhpathri. Moreover, the PDD was asked to connect adjoining villages of Dodpathri through same feeding lines. For the purpose the department was directed to conduct a survey of the adjoining villages in coordination with DDA so that the status of connectivity of the adjoining villages could be ascertained for covering the area under government schemes.