UK's Deputy High Commissioner to India, Alexander Evans has said he will take up the issue of adverse travel advisory on Jammu and Kashmir with the British Government as the situation in the state is now "much better" than it was during the 1990s.
"The situation now in Jammu and Kashmir is much better than it was during the 90s. I will take up the issue regarding J&K travel advisory with the British Government. I hope the right situational awareness will lead to positive changes in the same," he said here.
The Deputy British High Commissioner met state Chief Secretary, B R Sharma here at the Civil Secretariat yesterday, an official spokesperson said.
Director General of Police, K Rajendra Kumar was also present at the meeting, besides British Regional Overseas Security Manager, William Smith and Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, Pratyush Rao, the spokesperson said.
During the meeting, Evans recalled that he had been a student of Kashmir University in 1990s and pursued a PhD in on history of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the hour-long meeting, the Chief Secretary and the DGP apprised Evans about security and development in the state, and highlighted the need to withdraw the adverse travel advisory on Jammu and Kashmir.
"All our tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg are trouble free," the DGP said.
The Chief Secretary informed Evans about ongoing road sector projects aimed at providing better connectivity within the state and to the rest of the country.
"The state government with central support has undertaken many key road and tunnel projects. Once completed these will enable round the year connectivity to Jammu, Leh, Gurez and other areas, besides significantly reducing travel time," he said.
"Work on the rail project to connect Katra and Banihal is in full swing. Once the rail project is completed, horticulture and tourism sectors are expected to receive major boost," he said.
Sharma also spoke about the state government's recent initiatives to harness hydro power and reduce transmission and distribution losses.
