People enjoy boat ride at Patratu dam. (Vishvendu Jaipuriar)

Hazaribagh, Jan. 13: Jhajhatongri, an island situated in the middle of Patratu dam in Ramgarh, is all set for a facelift.

As a first step, district administration officials led by Ramgarh deputy commissioner Praveen Toppo and sub-divisional officer Dadan Choubey reached the picturesque spot today and inaugurated the boating facility. Barkagaon legislator Yogendra Sao accompanied the team and promised all necessary help to procure funds for the project that would help turn the area into a tourist destination.

Patratu dam, 30km from Ramgarh and 35km from Ranchi, supplies water to Ramgarh cantonment area as well as the main reservoir of Patratu Thermal Power Plant (PTPS).

Toppo said the place has huge potential and if given a facelift, would definitely attract tourists from different areas. He added that other than unemployed youths, local swimmers would also be hired to man the island. According to him, the first step would be to woo tourists from the state, and once all the facilities were in place, to attract tourists from the rest of the country.

The blueprint includes a restaurant on the island as well as a park and amusement corner for the visitors. Toppo said they would have to obtain a no objection certificate from the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) first to go ahead with the plan. He hoped that they would get the NOC soon after which a project report will be sent to the tourism department for funds.

Choubey said the district administration got four boats today from the Jharkhand tourism department that were handed over to the local self help group. He said the group comprised unemployed youths who would earn by running the boating service. The team led by Toppo visited the place today and agreed to send a proposal to the tourism department for funds.

“The natural beauty of this place will attract visitors if we manage to provide all the facilities,” Choubey said, adding that a new government had taken charge and the administration was hopeful of getting the project sanctioned.