An unfinished spa project at Surajkund. (Vishvendu Jaipuriar)

A hot water spa at Hazaribagh’s Surajkund has received a cold shoulder from the authorities, who failed to execute a long-pending beautification project despite sanction of funds not once but twice.

The state tourism department, which approved hefty sums of Rs 68 lakh and Rs 2.30 crore in 2009 to spruce up six spas at Barkatha block, collectively known as Surajkund — Asia’s hottest spa — has allegedly been cheated by the contractor Pandey constructions.

The agency has not only been accused of blatant misuse of funds, but also reportedly carried out sub-standard construction work so much so that it triggered protests by residents of neighbouring villages in March 2010.

The contractor then deserted the area and the district administrative authorities did precious little to salvage the project, putting the ambitious plans of setting up saunas, massage parlours, restaurants, convention halls and rest house along the spas on the back burner.

Legend has it that lord Ram, his brother Lakshman and wife Sita stopped at Barkatha after being exiled by king Dashrath. Ram is supposed to have met a priest, who, sought the lord’s help to get rid of his skin disease.

According to mythology, Ram then constructed six kundas (spas) — Suraj, Bharat, Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Shatrughan — at the place, all of which were supposed to have medicinal properties.

Speaking to The Telegraph, mukhiya of Belkapi panchayat Rajkumar Nayak said the contractors had not only misused the funds, but also damaged the Shatrughan spa during renovation.

“The state sanctioned funds twice. But both the times, the funds were misused and no substantial work was carried out,” Nayak alleged.

Echoing Nayak, block deputy head Arjun Prasad said they had shot missives to the officials concerned on a number of occasions, but without any success.

“Devotees from states like Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh flock to the spas. If developed properly, it will certainly give tourism a push,” Prasad said.

Contacted, local officials pleaded ignorance, stating that they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

The issue had been raked up by a group of JVM leaders, who approached tourism minister Vimla Pradhan on Wednesday and drew her attention to the misuse of funds. Pradhan, who was in the district, promised to look into the matter and commence work on beautification of Hazaribagh Lake and Surajkund after she returned to Ranchi.