DEHRADUN: The ambitious project of development of Kanva ashram and related infrastructure at Kotdwar gets a boost following a report prepared by IIT Roorkee The project was stalled following a landslide in the area in August this year leading to suspicion on the feasibility of the expansion plan has, which has now got a new fillip with IIT Roorkee, in its report, approving the area safe for the new project. Purushottam Kumar , additional programme director at Infrastructure Development and Investment Programme for Tourism, said, "The landslide had ravaged the area close to Kanvashram. It was feared that the river which flows nearby might change its course due to deposition of debris that came from landslide site and hence can jeopardise our expansion plans. So we requested IIT Roorkee to conduct a study on this. The institute has sent us its report recently approving the site to be safe with no possibility of river to change its profile. So now we will go ahead with our plans."He said, as IIT Roorkee scientists have suggested, a retaining wall will be built to treat the landslide affected area as well as to prevent debris to fall down in the project site.According to Kumar, among the expansion plans, a new artificial lake would be built by connecting the water body with the existing river channel of irrigation department. Besides this, a plush resort with parking space will be created. Not to forget, Kanva ashram will be refurbished without tempering with the essence of its heritage. It is 14 km from Dehradun.Satpal Maharaj, tourism minister, said, "Kanvashram was the ashram of sage Kanva where King Bharat was born after whose name the country was named Bharat. It has a rich legacy from historical point of view. And after expansion, it will be major tourism destination in the state."He said, the North Centric Corbett Park resort consisting of comfort huts will provide luxurious accommodation to the tourists. Those who look for ethnic experience will be able to stay in village homestays. Under the project, homestay facility in 15 villages will also be created by the tourism department where the villagers will be trained in hospitality services.Forest minister Harak Singh Rawat is also showing keen interest in the project. He said, "There are large number of deer who have been given shelter in a barricaded area near Kanva ashram by the forest department long ago. Now we will create a deer park after taking due approvals which will add another attraction to this site."According to sources, the area had also served as the epicentre of trade for the surrounding hill areas. However, later with increase in population, this trade centre gradually fragmented into the small markets in nearby towns.

Stay updated with all the Dehradun Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.