Illegal mining in the Tawi riverbed close to towers of the Rs 75-crore cable car project has put the ropeway in a danger.

Despite a ban on the mining in the river, the sand mafia is taking away sand and stones from the riverbed, posing a threat to the upcoming ropeway project. “The illegal sand mining is going on during night despite a court ban. Now, the mining is being done close to the tower no. 2 and 4 of the Jammu Ropeway Project,” said Noor-ul-Hassan, in charge, Jammu Ropeway Project, adding that it could damage the towers anytime.

According to official sources in the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation, the mining was the biggest factor for the delay in the project.

Hassan said they had time and again informed the police post concerned about the illegal mining, but nothing had been done so far.

The 1.57-km-long cable car project has two phases. The first is from Mahamaya to Peerkho over the Tawi with seven towers and a total length of 1.11 km. The second phase is from from the Bahu Fort to Mahamaya Park with two towers. It is 447 m in length.

Of the seven towers of the first phase, four are on the Tawi bed. Of these, tower no. 2 and 4 are facing threat of damage due to illegal mining.

Courtesy:The Tribune,Jan2,2019