MULTAN, July 17: The Punjab government has approved feasibility (PC-2) of Fort Munro chairlift-cable car project and allocated a sum of Rs10 million to launch study for preparation of its PC-1.

Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) planning and development wing manager Javed Akbar Warraich told this agency on Monday that Rs3.5 million had already been released to launch the study and the remaining Rs6.5 million reflected in the annual development plan 2006-07.

“Five firms have contacted us so far and they have been given the Terms of Reference (ToRs) citing requirements of the study and informed through advertisement in newspapers to submit their demands with details of their technical expertise by the mid of August.

“We will first evaluate their technical expertise and past record of carrying out such studies and after filtering out best firms through grading process, we will open their financial proposals to assess which firm should get the contract to carry out study at Fort Munro,” Mr Warraich said.

The firm with best expertise and seeking less money to carry out the study would suit the TDCP, he added.

The study would point out how long chairlift, cable car or combination of both could be installed, at what suitable points while keeping in view direction of the wind flow, geological technical investigation to lay foundation at best suitable spots for installation of pillars, and the cost involved.

He said TDCP would prepare the PC-1 depending upon report of the study.

When asked, he said, firms in Austria, France and UK used to manufacture chairlift and cable car and added that TDCP would go for the best option. He said chairlift in Patariata had been installed in 1989 and added that a lot of technological modifications and advancements had taken place since then.

Javed Akbar said the project would generate an enormous economic activity by creating employment opportunities directly and indirectly for local people.

He said TDCP had given a briefing to the Punjab chief secretary some time ago that was resulted in construction of some 8km metallic road from Khar to Fort Munro by C&W department, rehabilitation of water supply scheme from Rakni to Fort Munro and an afforestation project being carried out by the forest department there.

The hill station has rest houses of different government departments, a TDCP motel, a hospital and two beautiful lakes, including the famous Dames lake. —APP