Exclusive: Hiccup in Beatles Ashram revamp plan prompts sharp response from Uttarakhand govt

Ambitious tourism project in the heart of Rajaji Tiger Reserve

The project, an ambitious tourism undertaking in the state, is being carried out in the core area of Rajaji Tiger Reserve by a firm called Sharma Construction. The project, including consultancy services, is worth around Rs 100 crore. The complex has nearly 25 buildings, of which 12 will be revamped in the upcoming project.

In November, HCP conducted an inspection wherein they found that a portion of the slope adjacent to the existing pathway was sliding. “It is also observed that the river flow from the lower side is turning towards this portion, causing erosion at the riverbed, while rainwater runoff from the upper side is eroding the slope from above. Due to this, the entire area is at risk of progressive failure,” the firm observed in its communication to the PWD project manager.

Horses at Rajaji National Park (Express Photo)

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It requested that suitable and permanent slope protection be provided at the riverbed area and the site, and that this be planned and executed at the earliest, as “further delay may put the nearby pathway and structures at serious risk”.

The letter attached multiple pictures, showing landslides in considerable degrees.

Responding to this, the project manager wrote that the land slippage was discussed during the joint site visit on November 22. “A proposal addressing this issue should have been prepared by your team during the planning stage,” it said. “This is a matter of high priority, considering visitor safety and the impact on ongoing and proposed work at the site. It is concerning that such a critical aspect was overlooked during the planning and DPR preparation stages, as it should have formed an integral part of the original scope,” the letter further said.

Asking the company to consider the matter on priority, the PWD advised that the consultancy initiate a detailed assessment of the affected slope area and prepare a comprehensive proposal for mitigation measures. “This proposal should be incorporated as part of the external development works, as it ideally should have been included earlier,” the letter said.

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Slope instability risk assessment ordered

Praveen Kush, Executive Engineer with the Public Works Department, said the consultancy firm has now been tasked with identifying measures to mitigate slope instability at the site. “They will undertake a study and ensure that any potential risk is addressed,” he said.

When contacted, the firm stated, “The HCP’s scope for the project is limited to architectural interventions. Engineering-related interventions, including matters pertaining to slope stabilisation, are being discussed with the Uttarakhand Public Works Department in consultation with specialised civil and structural engineering experts.”

George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and John Lennon, members of The Beatles, visited the ashram, at the time the home to Mahesh Yogi, in 1968. Chaurasi Kutiya gets its name from the 84 meditation rooms – 42 on either side of a yoga centre.

As reported by The Indian Express earlier, the tourism department had justified the selection of HCP through single-source procurement by pointing to the complexity of the heritage cum eco-tourism project, and the expertise of the “world-class” company, which had executed major projects such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the Central Vista redevelopment near Parliament. The finance department had flagged the choice and recommended obtaining a priori the approval of the forest department, and asked the tourism department to ensure rate reasonableness.

The area lies adjacent to the Ganga. While granting approval for the project subject to conditions, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in September directed that damage to the flora and fauna of the surrounding area should be averted. Other conditions set by the committee are that protection and mitigation measures for wildlife shall be ensured as per standard practice and as prescribed in the management plan of the national park, and the forest land shall not be used for any purpose other than what is specified in the proposal.