Finally, trade centre at Baddi nears completion

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 27

After much delay, the Rs 10.81 crore trade centre-cum-club house project at the state’s industrial hub Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) will be functional soon.

BBN Development Authority officials have now written to the Director Industries (DI) for inviting proposals from interested parties to run the project.

Since this industrial hub lacks appropriate space for holding industry-related activities such as trade fairs, conferences, interactions, this centre will provide the apt place for such activities.

Chief Executive Officer Lalit Jain when asked said they were awaiting permission from the DI for inviting this proposal. He said various models of renowned clubs such as Chandigarh Golf Club, Gymkhana Club and Delhi Golf Club had been studied in the last two months to chalk out a model to run it successfully.

As per the proposal a committee headed by CEO BBN Development Authority and comprising representatives of various associations of the industry would coordinate to make it operational. Officials of the Tourism Department too would be incorporated as its members.

The land, building and facility created in the centre would be leased out on the basis of competitive bidding initially for a period of five years and memberships would be invited from the investors operating in the BBN. The authority will receive a fixed monthly income from the lessee and the income generated annually would be used to enhance swimming pool and gym facilities.

The centre has facilities such as 20 rooms, independent cottages, conference halls, etc., and solar energy systems to make it environment friendly.

Initially financial assistance of Rs 5.40 crore was sought from the Government of India under the Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development of Exports Scheme for this centre and the Industries’ Association was supposed to contribute Rs 2.4 crore, but only Rs 10 lakh were pooled in.

The shortage of funds delayed the completion of the project. The delay also caused an escalation of project cost to Rs 15 crore. Land measuring 35 bighas has been set aside by the state government to facilitate construction of this centre.