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| Make Gulmarg choicest global destination for winter games: Azad | | ‘State’s economic welfare lies in sound tourism’ | |
Srinagar, September 13 – While reviewing the functioning of tourism development authorities created under central and state sectors in the state, at a high level meeting here today, Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad emphasized that the aim of creating these development authorities is to develop infrastructure in existing tourist destinations as well as develop network of new tourist potential areas. He underscored the need for upgrading Gulmarg as a worldclass tourist destination.
Minister for Tourism Minister Mr. Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir MLA, Chief Secretary Mr. C. Phunsog, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Anil Goswami, Commissioner/Secretary Finance Mr. B. B. Viyas, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Mr. Basharat Ahmad, Secretary Tourism Mr. Naeem Akhtar, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Heads of Departments, Chief Executive Officers of various tourism development authorities and senior officers attended the meeting.
Mr. Azad said that formulation of projects for taking up various infrastructure development at tourist destinations should be in such a way that these suffice the present and futuristic requirements. He said besides construction of new infrastructure, expanding and upgrading existing infrastructure at the tourist destinations should be given due attention. “Effort needs to be made to improve environment, ecology and over all ambience of these picturesque spots to make these most attractive tourist places”, he said.
Chief Minister issued instructions for taking up plantation of shrubs, nurturing wild flowers and other vegetation along the Gondola path at Gulmarg to make the entire route more eye catching. He said all out efforts have to be made to make Gulmarg future destination for Commonwealth games. He called for taking immediate steps to conserve heritage palace without changing its traditional outside architecture at Gulmarg.
He also emphasized for time bound completion of other basic amenities for tourists at Gulmarg within a fixed time frame like augmenting drinking water supply, laying underground power lines and ensuring availability of equipment for snow clearance. Other matters pertaining to infrastructure development at Gulmarg that came under discussion included construction of parking places and shops, upgradation of roads, pony tracks, shelter sheds, heritage house and huts.
While reviewing the headway made on developing tourist villages in the state, the meeting was apprised that Drung, a beautiful spot, 3 km from Tangmarg, is being developed as a tourist village under centrally sponsored scheme. Tangmarg-Drung road is under construction while bridge over Ferozpur nallah has been constructed and picnic spots are being developed in the area.
Referring to redeveloping historic 18-hole golf course at Gulmarg, Mr. Azad said that this project should be completed within one year with focus on developing of greens. A snow festival will also be organized at Gulmarg this winter. Kongdoori is also being developed as an international ski destination for which the centre has approved an allocation of Rs. 4.65 crore. A resort has also been planned at this world famous tourist destination.
Progress made on various infrastructure development schemes under Pahalgam, Sonamrg and Patnitop development authorities was also reviewed.
Fifty villages have been identified for developing these as tourist villages in the state. Of these, sanction for developing five tourist villages of Gagangir, Drung, Pahalgam, Surinsar and Jhiri has been made and work on these is progressing, the meeting was told. .
While taking a detailed review of the schemes formulated and achievements registered so far in developing various tourism development authorities in the state, Mr. Azad said that there should be two sets of guidelines for old and new development authorities as per specific requirements of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister said that best possible wayside facilities should be created on various tourist circuits that are being developed in the state. These include Lakhanpur-Basohli-Bani-Sarthal, Bhadarwah-Kishtwar-Srinagar and Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch.
Tourism Minister Mr. Mohammad Dilawar Mir addressing the meeting, thanked Mr. Azad for convening the review meeting and said that all the existing and virgin tourist spots in the three regions of the state need to be developed and promoted from tourism point of view.
Mr. Mir assured Mr. Azad that all schemes and targets would be achieved within a fixed time frame to match the tourist infrastructural facilities with that of international standards. He called upon the concerned officers to redouble their efforts and work with dedication to promote tourism sector in a big way it being the mainstay of the state’s economy.
Secretary Tourism gave a presentation of the projects in the meeting. |
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