J&K govt taking several steps to boost tourism: Minister

Jammu and Kashmir government today said it has taken several steps to boost tourism and is giving attention to the development of tourism-related infrastructure in the state, especially in the Jammu region.
"The development of tourist spots in the state including Jammu is being given attention, by way of creation of tourism related infrastructure," Tourism Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone told the Legislative Council.
In reply to a question by BJP's Charanjit Singh, Lone said steps were being taken to boost tourist inflow to Surinsar and Mansar tourist spots in Jammu.
"The government is developing a daak bunglow, six double-bedrooms and two suites, two double-bedroom huts and one restaurant including two double-storied huts," he said.

"Government is also developing a viewing point, decks surrounding water bodies of Surinsar and Mansar, besides proving facilities like joy rides, swings at the existing parks."
On a question about the development of an artificial lake on river Tawi, Lone said the project with an estimated cost of Rs 69.70 crore has been taken up by the Irrigation and Flood control department during 2010-11.

"An amount of Rs 57 crore has been released and spent till date, against which 85 per cent of civil works and 80 per cent of mechanical works have been completed," he said.
Lone said the government is in process of constructing a world-class golf circuit to attract high-end tourists.

He said Rs 318.45 lakh has been released under Central government's infrastructure development scheme for beautification and infrastructure development at the Tawi River front.
Lone said the Union Ministry of Tourism has approved a project for development of holy shrine Peerkho in Jammu as a tourist destination at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore.
Lone said the indigenous ropeway project from Mubarak Mandi to Shahbad is budgeted at Rs 40 crore.
He said the government is planning to develop tourism near the border on the pattern of Wagah-Attari.
"Development of the border areas tourism circuit Suchetgarh Jammu has been sanctioned by the ministry of tourism government of India at a cost of Rs 639.30 Lakhs," he said.