J&K govt working on plans to boost tourism

Jammu and Kashmir government today said it was working on several plans to boost the tourism potential of Jammu, including development of Tawi river on the lines of Sabarmati river front in Gujarat.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said the state government has taken several initiatives to develop Jammu on modern lines and launched several projects for this purpose.
Detailing various projects being executed in the city, Singh said that Tawi river will be developed on the lines of Sabarmati River front in Gujarat and Gondola rides will also be started there, to attract tourists to the state.
Mubarak Mandi Heritage project, an artificial lake on Tawi river and a cable car project are among the other major initiatives being taken up, he said while addressing a function here.

He said Mubarak Mandi Heritage project aims to develop the complex into a major tourist spot of the region.
"Tourism potential of the region has to be exploited to the maximum by way of promoting pilgrim tourism and upgrading facilities at major tourist spots of the area," Singh said.

"Besides, expansion of Jammu airport is in progress and the issue of expansion of railway station has already been taken up with the Railway Minister," he said.
The deputy Chief Minister said that state government is committed to making Jammu an independent tourist destination.
It is also working on plans to streamline the power scenario in the state with a focus on unattended areas, he said.

Singh said after completion of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) works by 2017, power scenario will be completely changed in the city.
"The department has also created a transformer bank to cope (with demand) during the summer season," he said.
He appealed to people to pay their electricity bills on time so that the department would be able to provide them adequate power supply and develop power infrastructure in the state.
In reply to another question, the minister said
Lolab-Bungas-Drangyari Development Authority has been created for the development of tourism related infrastructure in Kupwara district.
She said requisite tourism related infrastructure, to some extent, has been created at tourism spots of Kupwara at Chandigam, Khumriyal, Wader Payeen, Reshwari, Kathgaji, Dardpora, Drangyari, Zachaldara, Lach Handwara, Zangli, Sattabaran Kalaroose and Rawalthpora.

Construction of 10 bathrooms and development of a spring at Ziarat Sharief Guzriyal is in progress, she said adding three shelter sheds at Wader Reshwari and Drangyari would be also constructed this year.
Sethi said a detailed project report has been prepared for different components for the development of Bungus Valley.
The execution would be subject to the availability of funds, she said.
She said the centre had sanctioned a project of Rs 4.56 crore for construction of budgeted accommodation and allied facilities at Lolab during 2012-13, against which Rs 91 lakh have been released and utilized for the execution of different works so far.

The Minister said the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir has taken up 52 works in district Kupwara for execution at an estimated cost of Rs 19.90 crore, of which 30 works have been completed so far with an expenditure of Rs 16.64 crore.