Giridih, Aug. 27: The Jain sects opposing Jharkhand High Court’s ruling on the ownership of Parasnath Hills point to the abysmal facilities at Madhuban village, another site revered by the Jains, to prove that the religious place has passed into the wrong hands.
The state government had announced that Parasnath Hills will be developed as a major tourist destination. The project covers the nearby Madhuban village, in Pirtand block, home to the famous Samosharan temple and Bhomiyaji Asthan. But after one-and-a-half years no significant work has done by the central, state or the local administration, they said.
The area is often struck by acute water crises, sometimes in the peak tourist season. Five years ago, a pipeline was laid to connect Madhuban to Sita Nala dam by the local administration with contributions of Jain community. But within a year, the system collapsed and now there is no regular water supply to the area.
Power supply from the Nimiaghat substation is irregular at most times and residents say they have to depend on generators.
Giridih deputy commissioner Rakesh Ranjan denies receiving complaints on the erratic water and electricity supply. “The work is being carried out by the India Tourism Development Corporation and the problems will soon ease out,” he added.
Bhagchand Kesiwal Jain, Digambar sect secretary said the administration failed to problems of labour unrest during the last festival to mark the salvation of the twenty-third Tirthankara Parsvanath, who attained moksha on the hill.
“The administration also could not complete the bridge work that has been pending for so long. The government, which has failed to provide basic facilities and security, cannot be trusted.”
Transport is another major handicap.
The nearest rail stations are Parasnath and Giridih; the first one is 20 km away from Madhuban, the second at a distance of 40 km. The single road to the village, the Giridih-Dumri road, is 5 km long and the only work the local administration has done is to widen it, allege residents.
