PSUs NPCC, NBCC to execute tourism projects in J-K

Two public sector firms -- NPCC and NBCC -- will execute projects worth about Rs 100 crore each for development tourism infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
Two tripartite MoUs were signed by Union Tourism Ministry, J&K government and NPCC in one case and NBCC in another.
The Ministry has sanctioned projects worth Rs 96.92 crore to NBCC for integrated development of tourist facilities at Gulmarg, Baramulla, Kupwara and Leh, while projects at Mantalai, Sudhmahadev and Patnitop has been secured by NPCC for Rs 97.82 crore.
Under 'Development Package for Tourism' for J&K, the Union Tourism Ministry will provide Rs 400 crore every year for five years for development of tourism infrastructure under Swadesh Darshan scheme.

For 2016-17, the Ministry had sanctioned Rs 400 crore in September last year and the projects were divided into four segments.
While two of these segments are being implemented by Jammu and Kashmir government, the remaining one each will be executed by NBCC (India) Ltd, formerly National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd, and National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd (NPCC).

"In order to ensure speedy implementation of all the segments, the Ministry decided to rope in two central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) -- NBCC and NPCC...The firms have given consent to take up projects worth about Rs 100 crore each," Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi said.

Tourism Ministry Joint Secretary Suman Billa, J&K Cable Car Corporation Managing Director Shamim Ahmad Wani, NPCC Executive Director K K Sharma and and NBCC Chief General Manager (BD) Alok Rastogi inked the agreements. Meanwhile, Zutshi said 30-40 per cent of the projects, related to resurrection of tourism infrastructure which was damaged due to floods in 2014, has been completed. The central assistance of Rs 100 crore was proposed for the purpose.
Stating that projects worth Rs 500 crore related to tourism infrastructure would be seen implemented on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the state is one of country's major tourist destinations.

"The state is pride of India in terms of tourism. We will see a sea change in the tourism infrastructure in coming days...Those unfinished works since last 11-12 years would also see its completion," he said.
Wular Lake, which is said to be the largest fresh water lake in India, will also have a "new face altogether", Zutshi added.
The central assistance of Rs 60 crore was proposed for conservation of the Wular lake.