Srinagar, October 01 (Scoop News)- The government has spent around Rs 18 crore to develop tourism related infrastructure in Kargil since the inception of Kargil Development Authority.
The information was provided in a meeting of Kargil Development Authority Board held here t to review the physical and financial achievements registered for development and up gradation of tourist related infrastructure in the area.
Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir chaired the meeting while as Chief Executive Councillor, Kargil Hill Development Council, Haji Asgar Karbalie, Advisor to Chief Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Executive Councillor, Tourism, Skyzalng Wangyal, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Mr Atul Duloo were present in the meeting.
The meeting was informed that tourism developmental projects have been taken up at a estimated cost of Rs.25 crore in Kargil under Centre and State Plans against which Rs. 17.69 crore were expended till last fiscal. The meeting after thread bare discussion approved Rs 1.50 crore action plan of RDA for current financial year.
The meeting was told that under Prime Ministers Reconstruction Programme the Development work on Kargil, Drass-Panikhar and Drass-Sankoo as tourist destinations has been completed by creation of varied tourist infrastructure, while as preservation and beautification work of historical monuments and way side facilities and development of tourist infrastructure in Kargil was taken up at the total sanctioned cost of Rs.8.60 crore under Destination Development Scheme phase-Ist, against which so far Rs 1.71 crore were expended on several monument works in the area.
The meeting was further told that over Rs 4 crore have also been incurred on upgradation of tourist infrastructure in the area under State plan during last 4 years in the area.
The formulation of Master Plan, land acquisition, out sourcing of assets, completion of on-going projects also came under discussion during the meeting and concerned authorities were directed to keep close coordination for removal of impediments which hamper completion of the projects in time.
Meanwhile the Minister also reviewed physical and financial achievements of Zanskar Development Authority in a separate meeting in which, the Minister of State for Information Technology, Feroz Ahmad Khan, the local representative of the area was also present.
The meeting was informed that since the inception of ZDA, the government has expended Rs 14.01 crore on tourist related infrastructure in Zanskar and Padum destination under Centre and State plans. The meeting was informed that development of tourist destination at Zanskar was completed at a cost of Rs 465.51 lakh while as beautification of Padum and its adjoining tourist resorts is apace at a cost of Rs 399.16 lakh against which Rs. 139.73 lakh expended on the project till date.
The Tourism Minister said that the main objective of the government was to provide quality infrastructure facilities to the visiting tourists with focused attention for developing new tourism potential spots. He underscored the need for time-bound completion of the on-going projects and stressed upon the concerned chief executive officers (CEOs) not to create liabilities while taking up new projects.
The Tourism Minister asked to check the violations, saying that un-planned growth will spoil the picturesque essence of this tourist destination which is considered a great source of mental peace and recreation to the visitors, as the place is yet free from concrete structures.
The Minister called upon the executing agency to undertake works strictly as per the prescribed specifications and to ensure judicious use of funds.
Mir said that construction of concrete structures should be discouraged so that natural beauty of area, which is clustered by virgin sites and meadows, does not get affected.
Chief Executive Councillor while highlighting the vast tourism potential of the Kargil underscored the need for showcasing the tourism potential of the area in and outside the country and bringing them on world tourism map for economic boost in the area. He said that district is also distinct in adventure tourism which needs to fully explored by developing camping sites, organising rafting, tracking and other adventure competitions.
Advisor to Chief Minister stressed for promotion of pilgrim tourism in the area saying that more pilgrim sites in the area needs to be developed and infrastructure upgradation for convenience of pilgrim tourists. He also underscored the need for enhancement in allocation to complete the on-going projects in the area.
The chief Executive Officers, KDA and ZDA made power point presentations on development of tourist related infrastructure besides development of potential spots with futuristic plans of the Authority in the meetings.
District Development Commissioner, Kargil, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvaz, Managing Director Cable Car Car Corporation, Tufail Matoo, Managing Director, JKTDC, Shamim Ahmad, Chief Town Planner, Chief Executive Officers, KDA, ZDA, Chief Controller Finance, KHDC besides other senior Officers of Concerned Departments attended the meeting.
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