The $300 million Himalayan Ski Village project — proposed by Alfred Ford (great grandson of Henry Ford) which is an “eco-friendly” mountain resort in the Kullu valley — seems to be nearing a dead end.

Sources said a high-power committee set up by the state government to review the project has recommended cancellation of the project, which was cleared by earlier Congress government. The state Cabinet, expected to meet next week, will also debate the merits of the project.

“Since the project was cleared by the Cabinet, the final decision will also be taken by the council of ministers,” said a top tourism department official.

Principal secretary (Tourism) Manisha Nanda is heading the committee, which includes representatives of the forest department, state environment protection department, town and planning, revenue, and PWD and the Kullu deputy commissioner as its members. The committee had visited the project site a few months ago and held a public hearing to gauge the local opinion.

According to the report of the committee, of the 28 issues broadly taken into account by the committee, the basic objection remains on environmental issues.

The committee has serious reservations on the project having an adverse impact on the Himalayan ecology. “The company has prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) with great precision and expertise but has not submitted a Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Himachal Pradesh government despite repeated reminders,” said a senior member of the committee.

Another concern is the rebellious local residents, NGOs and public representatives, including local BJP MLA Govind Thakur.

... contd.