Jamshedpur: The sprawling Chandil Dam is all set to get a Rs 7-crore makeover as part of the state government's endeavour to convert it into a world-class eco-tourism hub.
The state tourism department, buoyed by the transfer of land from the water resource department, is eying a major overhaul of infrastructure at the dam site, nestling on the banks of Subernarekha with Dalma's hilly forest in the backdrop, around 33km from here.
Infrastructure planned in the first phase include construction of parks, restaurants, cafeterias and introduction of various water sport activities. The dam boasts an annual footfall of nearly 2 lakh tourists, especially between November and February.
"The water resources department transferred 40 acres to the tourism department earlier this month. We have got funds for developing it into a major tourist destination. A private consultant has already presented a detailed project report (DPR) which has been sent to chief minister Raghubar Das for his nod," said tourism, youth affairs and sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri here on Monday.
"A budget outlay of Rs 100-crore had been earmarked for developing Chandil as a major tourist hub. In the first phase, around Rs 7 crore would be spent on creating infrastructure based on the DPR prepared by private consultant I-Deck. Construction will start once Das gives his approval," said tourism department deputy secretary Vidyanand Sharma Pankaj, who is also the deputy director of Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC).
"We have already written to the state road construction department to repair the approach road to the dam. Hopefully, work will begin soon," Pankaj said.
Chief minister Das had visited the dam in November last year and announced to convert it into a tourism hub.
Scouts and Guides
Bauri, who is the state president of Bharat Scouts and Gui-des, held a meeting with its officials at the Circuit House hall.
"On June 30, we will launch a campaign to enrol students. Currently, 16 districts have scouts and guides units. We plan to cover all the 24 districts by this year. All the districts will have functional committees which will reach out to schools and colleges to enrol more members," said Bauri.
