J and K government to create new tourism infrastructure

Inaugurating several projects in Srinagar yesterday, Jora said an amount of Rs 19 crore is being spent on creating new assets in the shape of budget accommodation at Yusmarg, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Cheshmashashi tourist resorts.

He said the JKTDC is spending Rs four crore for upgradation of its infrastructure throughout the state during the current fiscal to provide quality facilities to visiting tourists.

The gutted restaurant at Tangmarg resort is being reconstructed at a cost of Rs 60 lakh to provide quality hospitality and cuisine facilities to the tourists. The construction of the new restaurant would be completed in this fiscal, he said.

The minister said the reconstruction of Patnitop Club, which was earlier under the occupation of security forces, is also being taken up at a cost of Rs 65 lakh.

He said 40 rooms of Hotel Heemal have been upgraded by expending Rs 45 lakh, besides the dilapidated seven huts at Cheshmashahi have been reconstructed with an expenditure of Rs 60 lakh by the corporation for facilitation of tourists.

The minister inaugurated the much-needed Tourist reception Centre (TRC) at Cheshmashahi resort here. Jora also inaugurated 10 upgraded rooms, conference hall and dormitory, completed at an expenditure of Rs 50 lakh in Lala Rukh hotel in the city here.

The Lala Rukh restaurant was also thrown open by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) for public after a gap of 20 years.