Jamshedpur, Dec. 26: The tourism department has dropped the idea to develop Patamda as a major tourist destination because the district administration has been unable to quell protests by the tribal population there.

Sources in the tourism directorate said it has been two years since a work order was given to the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the agency allocated the responsibility to develop Patamda, 15 km from the steel city. However, protests by the tribal populace have been hindering the project.

The tourism department had allocated two acres to ITDC to develop a resort, children’s park and boating facilities, among others, at Patamda. But the protesters have been hindering work by demanding employment once the project takes shape. Now, the tribals are using the two acres for cultivation, said sources in the department.

State tourism director S.S. Prasad said the department has decided to cancel the project as the administration could not resolve the issue.

“Though the local administration tried several times, they were unsuccessful. The tribal people are up in arms against the project and this prompted us to drop the project,” said Prasad.

Assistant general manager of ITDC A.B. Kumar admitted that it was difficult to go ahead with the project due to the opposition. “In the past we tried several times to initiate the project, but could not do so due to resistance from the local people,” he added.