Two central projects to upgrade tourism in JK

The Centre will take up two mega projects at a cost of Rs 50 crore to upgrade tourism infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Centre has asked the state tourism authorities to prepare the project reports of the tourist destinations where the infrastructure is required to be upgraded, Union Secretary of Tourism S Banerjee today said.

The funds would be released for early execution of these mega projects soon after receipt of the project reports by the Centre, he said.

Banerjee, who arrived here yesterday on a three-day tour to take stock of 12 schemes in tourism sector, being executed at a cost of Rs 240 crore, today chaired a high level meeting of officers of tourism department.

He stressed for expediting the upgradation work of tourism-related infrastructure under Prime Minister's Re-construction Programme in the state.

State Tourism Secretary Tanvir Jehan briefed Banerjee about various developmental activities being undertaken by the government for promoting tourism.

She said that out of Rs 115.72 crore released under PM's package, Rs 61 crore were spent till date on development of tourism infrastructure in the state.

She requested the union secretary for grant of additional funds for publicity campaign, organization of tourism marts and festivals in and outside the country besides promotion of adventure tourism in the state.