SRINAGAR: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has revealed that facilities built under the “Swadesh Darshan” scheme were not being utilized by tourists due to highly restricted entry into the premises of SKICC/ Centaur Hotel.
CAG in its report has stated that cruise-cum-floating restaurant completed with a tendered cost of Rs 1.83 crore was handed over to J&K Tourist Department in August 2021.
The report, however, states that the jetty constructed in SKICC/Centaur Lake View Hotel premises could not be utilized by tourists due to highly restricted entry in SKICC/Centaur premises being guarded round the clock by the CRPF.
Similarly, it has been pointed out that the musical fountain with multimedia laser and video show on a water screen at SKICC, Srinagar adjacent to Centaur Lake View Hotel premises completed at a cost of Rs 8 crore in August 2017, could not be used regularly for tourists due to frequent events held for high ranking officers and dignitaries in SKICC/Centaur premises.
In its response to CAG, Tourism Department, J&K stated that despite VVIP movements and the fountain remaining closed, the fountain show had attracted tourists.
“For cafeteria, it stated that initially the cruise was supposed to operate from the banks of Chaar Chinaari Ghat to Nehru Park Ghat, and as such two jetties along with rescue boats and ambulance boats were provided to the cruise. The jetties were portable and could be dragged in water to the place of choice,” the report states—(KNO)
