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| Tourism projects in Jammu restrict to 'paper work' | | Projects of Artificial lake, Golf Course and ropeway between Mubarak Mandi and Bahu Fort hang in balance | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 16: The maxim 'much ado about nothing' aptly suits to the working of Tourism Department as the lack of ambition and determination is pushing culture and creativity back to the margins here. Notwithstanding the facts that nearly 80 lakhs tourists comprising pilgrims of holy shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi visiting Jammu every year, the department has miserably failed to bring the region on tourism map thus far.
Three major much-ambitious projects comprising artificial lake in river Tawi, ropeway project between historic Mubarak Mandi complex and Bahu Fort and Golf course in Sidhra, which have been undertaken by the department for promotion of tourism in Jammu, still are hanging in balance.
Official sources informed, "Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din had visited the site identified for artificial lake in river Tawi and that too, in the presence of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah four months back and had directed the officials for starting the project on war-footing but it never happened and the project remains a dream for the people of Jammu."
They further informed that the department had installed a board on December 5, 2009 identifying the site for lake but the work on it has yet not been started. It may be mentioned here that the state government has sanctioned a paltry amount of Rs 25 crore for preservation of river Tawi which has virtually turned into a 'nullah' in recent times.
"It was decided to construct a ropeway between historic Mubarak Mandi and Bahu Fort to promote tourism sector in Jammu region. Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) had been appointed the nodal agency for execution of the project. Though the execution of work was formally announced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Ghualm Nabi Azad, it also remained on papers and nothing substantial was done till date," regretted official sources. Time and again, Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora had claimed that the ropeway project was on the priority of the government. He had maintained that once work on this project got underway, it would be completed in stipulated time.
Besides, the tourism minister had visited the Golf course in Sidhra several times this year but the project has yet not been completed-courtesy slapdash approach of executing agencies. Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora was not available for comments.
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