Jamtara, the phising capital of India is now on its way to becoming a tourist destination of the region. All this, as Jamtara district administration as part of its series of development works under which 118 libraries for economically deprived youth and six elders' clubs for senior citizens have been developed, now embarked on renovating and beautifying the picturesque Ladhna dam situated around 12 km away from the district headquarters.

“90 % work of the beautification of the dam carried out at a cost of Rs 99 lakh has already been completed,” said Faiz Aq Ahmad Mumtaz, deputy commissioner of Jamtara who carried out an inspection of the dam situated on the bank of river Damodar on Thursday and gave instructions to officers accompanying him including the Deputy Development Commissioner Anilsan Lakda; director of District Rural Development Authority, Javed Anwar and others to ensure timely completion of the project.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Friday, “We are developing a large park on the bank of the dam comprising a kids' playing arena where sea saw, sliders, monkey crawl, and swings have been installed.”

He added. “Large number of people from different parts of Jharkhand besides adjoining Bengal like, Asansol, Chittranjan and Purulia regularly visit the dam surrounded by hillocks. Development of facilities as a dam site will help attract tourists that will generate income for local residents and revenue for the state."

Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz (in grey half jacket), Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jamtara inspecting the beautification work of Ladhna Dam area in Jamtara Gautam Dey

Notably the dam site studded with a large number of dense vegetation is also a favourite destination for elephant herds which migrate every year from Jamtara to Tundi in Dhanbad, Giridih, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma etc.

The state government however granted the status of tourist destination for the dam in 2019 and also released funds for beautification work after which the district administration set the ball rolling.

The Jamtara district administration has earlier developed 118 libraries in each of the 118 panchayats of the district spread over six blocks last year and also developed one elders' club in each of the six blocks of Jamtara, including, Fatehpur, Jamtara, Karmatand, Kundit, Nala and Narayanpur for senior citizens equipped with facilities like, TV, Carrom Board, Chess, Ludo, Badminton rackets and others.