Chandigarh: The delay in an eco-tourism project figured prominently in the Punjab Assembly on the second day of the Monsoon Session, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Karambir Singh questioning why work had not begun even a year after the project’s foundation stone was laid.
Raising the issue in the House, the MLA alleged that public representatives had been kept in the dark by officials. He said people were seeking answers from elected representatives while no accountability had been fixed on the officers concerned.
Karambir Singh further claimed that ₹80 lakh had been sanctioned for the project without obtaining the required approvals and urged the government to clarify the status of the project and identify those responsible for the delay.
Responding to the issue, Tourism Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said the proposed project is located at the scenic tourist spot known as Hawa Mahal, where eco-huts were planned. He said a budget of ₹80 lakh had been approved for the project, but work could not begin due to technical shortcomings.
The minister informed the House that a letter regarding the matter had been sent to the Central Government on May 27, 2026, and the state was awaiting a response before proceeding further.
Separately, replying to a calling attention motion, Wildlife Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said nilgai and wild boars cause significant damage to crops and also pose a threat to human life. However, he noted that the relevant legal provisions currently prevent their enumeration.
He said Punjab has six Ramsar sites where other wildlife species are counted, and the Wildlife Department plans to launch awareness campaigns and estimate the population of these animals in the future.
The minister added that no requests had been received so far seeking permission for wild boar culling or compensation. He announced that the compensation amount would be increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
MLA Manuke, meanwhile, pointed out that the affected area falls under Army jurisdiction, making hunting impractical.
