Will you ever think of handing over a building, which may generate huge funds, to someone elseIJ Unless urgency compels, perhaps you will never. But Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) appears to have different thought in its mind because the UTDB started process to convert management of newly-constructed Eco log Huts, which may prove to be a great source of revenue generation, at lansdowne to PPP (Private Public Partnership) mode.
Strangely, UTDB asked for expression of interest to operate and manage the Eco log Huts at lansdowne, constructed by spending around Rs 4 crore, if sources in the department are to be believed. A total of nine huts, including five with double beds and four with four beds each, have been constructed. Construction of each double bed hut costs around Rs 37 lakh and Rs 47 lakh on construction of each four-bed hut.
UTDB has also spent around Rs 1 crore in developing infrastructure at Tip and Top in lansdowne. It has constructed a food court and toilets at the spot. It has to spend around Rs 1 crore more on renovation of Heritage house at Gorkha Mess.
A well-placed source said that the tourism spot, presently operated and managed by GMVNl, is a profit making enterprise. Before construction of the new huts, the spot had six huts for tourists. The point, which lacked basic facilities till recently, attracted a large number of tourists. After construction of the new huts and developing basic facilities, it would attract larger number of tourists.
A well-placed source said that after spending so much on construction of the new huts and development of basic infrastructure at the point, there was no logic in starting process for managing and operating the spot on PPP mode. Referring to the invitation of EOI by UTDB, the source said that the UTDB was in a hurry to materialise its dream to operate and manage the huts on PPP mode.
The invitation reads, “EOI is invited from suitable organisations fulfilling the pre-qualification criterion for operation and management of newly constructed eco huts in lansdowne at Uttarakhand through PPP mode. The Government of Uttarakhand will provide the existing Eco Huts in lansdowne Uttarakhand for the proposed projects. The complete details are available on www.upppc.com. last date for submission of EOI is June 7”.
When asked, why department wanted to operate and manage eco huts on PPP mode after spending a huge sum on their construction, tourism secretary Umakant Pawar said, “The plan is aimed at making more profit and promoting tourism. Therefore, the department started process to run and manage the newly constructed huts on PPP mode.”
It may be mentioned here that the BJP leader Prakash Pant, in November 2012, had said that the operation of the profit making tourist facility operated by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) in lansdowne should not be handed over to private enterprises under PPP mode. The Minister said this in response to a memorandum submitted by a delegation from lansdowne comprising the lansdowne Cantonment Board vice-chairman and members. Even Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj of Congress had opposed this proposal in 2010 when the then BJP-led State Government had proposed to run the enterprise on PPP mode.