JAMMU : Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Mr. Raman Bhalla today said that Government is making all out efforts to boost tourism in the three regions of the State, adding that in this regard several new projects like cable car projects from Peerkho to Mahamaya, Mahamaya to Shahabad in Bahu fort and one at Patnitop are under pipeline besides artificial lake in River Tawi is under progress. This was stated by the Minister while addressing a high level meeting of officers here.
District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Director Tourism Jammu, Mr. Soujanya Sharma, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Mr. Kuldeep K Khajuria, Managing Director Jammu Kashmir Cable Car Corporation Mr. Tufail Mattoo, besides Chairman Central Empowerment Committee, Mr. P. V. Jaya and its members Mr. M K Muthoo and Mr. Mahandna Viyas were present on the occasion. Mr. Bhalla said tourism industry is a major economic activity in the State and lakhs of pilgrims come here to pay obeisance to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Shri Amarnathji besides large number of tourists visit to see the splended beauty of Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh region. The Minister said in Jammu, two main tourist spots are at Royal palace at Mubarak Mandi and Bahu Fort, adding that both these monuments are tourist attraction.
In order to facilitate movement of tourists to visit these historical monuments, Mr. Bhalla said Government has approved installation of passenger ropeway projects which will be facilitating movement of the tourists across river Tawi between the two monuments besides providing opportunity for pleasure rides for other tourists and locals. He informed that these will be major tourist attractions in the heart of the city of temples besides a big lake is being developed across the river Tawi and a Golf Course nearby. The Minister said that Government has placed Rs. 1.86 crore at the disposal of Collector, Land Acquisition Jammu for speedy clearance of land compensation for the Bagh-e-Bahu Cable Car project and Mubarak Mandi. He said state is already famous for the world's highest cable car service at Gulmarg and steps are afoot to promote it in other areas of the State like Peer Kho, Bahu Fort, Patnitop and Reasi near Shiv Khouri shrine.
It was apprised by the Chairman Central Empower Committee Mr. Jaya that the State Cable Car Corporation has prepared the technical report of proposed ropeway, one from Peerkho near Mubarak Mandi to Mahamaya and other from Mahamaya to Shahabad in Bahu Fort. He said the both the projects would be started shortly at an estimated cost of Rs. 47 crore on the approved area of 4.959 ha. The project terminals would have two floors with ticket counter, waiting hall, queue area, boarding and de-boarding area for passengers and other basic facilities. Earlier, several deputations of Nai Basti, Shastri Nagar, Bahu Fort, Joogian Mohalla, Bandhu Rakh Roop Nagar Digiana, Narwal Pain met the Minister and apprised him about development related problems particularly drinking water scarcity. Mr. Bhalla issued directions to PHE officers to visit the areas and redress problems. He said Government is committed to provide adequate drinking water facilities to the people during summer. |
