213 Kanals of land identified for Travelers Mart at Lakhanpur

The state government has identified 213 kanals of land for construction of Travellers Mart at Lakhanpur, which is part of Lakhanpur-Bani-Basholi-Sarthal circuit.
Minister for Planning Labour and Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadotra said while replying to a Calling Attention Notice by Charanjit Singh in the house on the behalf of Tourism Minister Gulam Ahmed Mir in the Legislative Assembly today.
"It comprises 98 kanals and 2 marlas belonging to Punjab Government (Irrigation Department), 69 kanals and 15 marlas of State land and 45 kanals and 3 marlas of private land," he said.
Sadotra said the state government was in correspondence with Punjab government for transfer of land measuring 98 kanals and two marlas.

"The state land measuring 69 kanals and 15 marlas was transferred to the Tourism Department and final award with respect to private land measuring 45 kanals and three marlas was issued by the then Collector, Land Acquisition," he said.
The Minister said in order to discuss the issues regarding construction of Travellers Mart at Lakhanpur, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the then Tourism Minister on April 20, 2012 and it was decided that Deputy Commissioner of Kathua would ensure handing over the physical possession of land to the State as well as the proprietary land acquired by the Department.

Chief Executive Officer, Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority was also coordination with district administration to take possession of the said land with proper demarcation on the ground.

Directorate of Tourism has taken the possession of around 85 kanals of land out of 114 kanals and 18 marlas, and about 30 kanals of land was still under encroachment for which the efforts were on to get it vacated with the help of the district administration, he added.
"Moreover, the construction work of Lakhanpur Travellers Mart has already started by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and construction of budget accommodation, public convenience has also been taken up by the CEO, Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority," he said, construction of Children Park would be taken up soon.

Physical possession of 114 kanals and 18 marlas, there was an imminent requirement of fencing, as soon as funds become available, the entire piece of land would be fenced to prevent encroachment, he added.