SRINAGAR:- Minister for Tourism, Mr. Gh Ahmed Mir. Has said that to create up-graded tourist infrastructure besides to develop tourist attractions at new potential spots strenuous efforts would be made to complete the ongoing projects taken up in the State with financial support of the Central Government and under State Plan.
Interacting with several delegation of tourism trade and Travel Associations, who met the Minister here today to put forth their demands and pleaded for up- gradation of tourist facilities at different destinations in the State, the Minister assured that government would take all necessary steps to redress their genuine demands adding that providing all modern facilities to the visiting tourists was the priority of the government.
Enumerating the initiatives taken by the government for holistic development of tourism sector in the State, the Minister said that Centre this fiscal has sanctioned so far 20 new tourism projects of Rs. 97.36 crore to the State, against which Rs. 19.18 crore have been released as first installment to take up the works . He asserted thatcompletion of these projects besides other ongoing projects would get focused attention of his Ministry their early completion.
The Minister said that necessary direction have been issued to concerned executing authorities to double their efforts for timely completion of the projects so that the visiting tourists could not face any inconvenience while visiting the State.
Giving the details of this year sanctioned projects, the Minister said that construction of Kashmir Haat at ChinarBagh , development of picnic spot at Pahalgam, light and sound show at Shalimar Bagh, construction of budgeted accommodation at Aharbal and lolab- bagus- drangyari would be completed at a cost of Rs. 22.28 crore, while as construction of TRC at Yousmarg, eco-friendly development of Sutkudi base camp to Vishansar, Sonamarg, development of Sarbal lake at Veering, development of Jamie Masjid heritage corridor as a tourist destination, development of Doodpathari as tourist resort ,setting up of laser show/multimedia show at dal lake and development of way side facilities and up-gradation of Shri Amarnathji Yatra track would be carried out at the cost of Rs. 22.52 crore in Kashmir valley.
The minister said that in Jammu division under the Centres this fiscal sanctioned projects development of tourist infrastructure at Natha top and development of Sanaser lake, conservation and restoration of Mubarak Mandi heritage complex as mega tourist, development of tourist infrastructure at Mansar lake, development of Mugal road lake circuit Poonch, development of tourist spots in BallwanBasoli and Bani area and Development and promotion of pilgrim circuit at GurdawaraNangali sahib in poonch besides integrated development of tourist circuit Darhal as base camp and shaker marg as gate way to the tourist destination of Pirpanchal range would be completed at the total cost of Rs. 38. 68 crore.
He said likewise Rs. 4.45 crore projects for development of tourist infrastructure in Kargil tourist spot have been also sanctioned by the Centre.
Complementing the local tourism fraternity for their significant role in tourism sector, Mir said he would address all the issues which are confronting the trade.
The Tourism Minister said that J&K is blessed with natural beauty which attracts visitors from various countries. After agriculture and horticulture, tourism is the biggest contributor to the economy. But, unfortunately, this sector received blow during militancy. He said thatfor the last few years, tourism is reviving and we are hopeful of good tourist season this year also. We have to work collectively to make J&K as the number one tourist destination.
We have a lean tourist season at present and this time we are moving to different places in India and abroad to promote J&K as an attractive tourist destination. But we have to help bring peace in our region so that tourism is given chance to flourish, Mir asserted while interacting with the tour and travel trade bodies.
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