 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 24: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer discussed promotion of religious tourist circuits in districts of Jammu division, here at a joint meeting of government functionaries and civil society members. The meeting was attended by District Development Council members Vijay Pur, Rajpura, from the districts of the division, Block Development Council chairpersons, Sarpances, Mahants from Sant Samaj, Mahant Rajesh Bittu, President of Traders federation, Neeraj Anand; Market Associations, Prominent citizens, besides Executive Director Director Mubarak Mandi Heritage, Deepika Sharma, Joint Director Information, General Manager JKTDC, Deputy Director Tourism and other concerned.
At the outset, the Div Com apprised the participants that the Government has taken diverse steps for the promotion of religious tourism and cultural festivals in the districts of the division to attract tourist footfall towards new destinations. The participants gave their valuable suggestions for promotion of tourist circuits. The participants suggested that several tourist circuits can be promoted for yatris like Jatwal to Jasrota, Kalu Chak to Purmandal Uttar Behni circuit, historical temples at Billawar, Mast Garh fort, Sukrala Mata Temple, Tourist circuits in Reasi, Udhampur etc for pilgrims who are coming in for Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage.
The public representatives from the districts also gave their suggestions and sought intervention of the Government for development of basic facilities at religious places in their respective Blocks.
The PRIs from border areas called for the promotion of border tourism in the region by developing adequate facilities.
The participants expressed gratitude to the Government for development of the Musical fountain at Bagh e Bahu and the start of the beating retreat ceremony at Suchetgarh Border to attract tourists.
The DDC member Billawar said that the area is home to many historical temples like Sukrala Mata temple, 5 Mukhi Shiva temple, Bala Sundri, Mastgarh fort. However, he said there was a requirement of Holding spaces, waiting sheds and accommodation facilities for devotees coming to these Shrines. Similarly, DDC member Rajpura said that Teaili Sthan, Nag Devta Temple have historical values but the shrines lack tourist facilities. DDC Member Vijaypur, said that the Sidh Gloria temple at Sawankha is one of historical religious places and suggested constructing a gate on National Highway Swankha Morh to attract the pilgrims and tourists. Sarpanch Treva stressed on promotion of border tourism and suggested development/ construction of Heritage Buildings in the border belt. A PRI member from Nagrota Block suggested development of basic facilities at Paed Devta Temple which lacks the road and faces shortage of water and power supply. She also demanded a tube well for the area. President Residency Road Jammu Pooja Mahajan stressed on development of Toilet complexes in the city for tourists visiting Raghunath Temple.
Likewise, the Corporators of JMC suggested including the component of renovation and development of historical temples in the Smart City Project. The Div Com informed the participants that JSCL has selected 10 temples for their overall development under Smart city.
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