Jammu, March 2 (Scoop News) -Asserting that efforts of the government is continuing to make Jammu an independent tourist destination, the Tourism Minister said that in this regard several innovative initiatives are under way to create tourist attraction in city of temples and also to develop varied tourism potential besides infrastructure facilities at other locations of the region.
Addressing the representatives of stakeholders of tourism trade, Jammu after holding a meeting with them here on Saturday, the Tourism Minister reaffirmed that that no discrimination would be made with Jammuties on this front adding that all necessary steps would be taken to make Jammu hub of the tourism activities.
Mir assured the tourism associations that all their genuine demands would be redressed in due course of time and directed concerned authorities to take immediate necessary actions on the demands of tourism stakeholders of the region.
The representatives of tourism association put fourth their demands which among others includes immunity on power tariff, advance soft loans to hotel owners for renovation, setting up of pilgrim tourist circuit in the region , extension of night stay of maximum trains in Jammu rail way station, uninterrupted power supply to hotels, construction of parking plots, making Jammu city as base camp for Shri Amarnathji yataries, promotional campaign for highlighting Jammu tourism in and outside Country, border and heritage tourism development and early construction of Mubarak Mandi cable car project besides conservation and restoration of Mubarak Mandi heritage palace and other monuments of the region.
The association also raised apprehensions decline of tourism in Jammu city due to Jammu- Katra rail way track and construction of tunnel bypassing Patnitop and Batote and stressed for creation more tourist attractions to persuade the tourists for staying some days in the city.
The tourism Minister said that government was already abreast about these apprehensions and has taken several measures to attract pilgrim tourists to visit of city of temples. He while giving brief of the initiatives taken by the government during last few years for promotion of tourism in the city and other parts of the region said that developing a golf course, artificial lake, conservation and restoration of Mubarak Mandi heritage palace, development of river Tawi front, development of Raghnath Ji Temple, Panjbakhtar Temple, Baldev Ji Temple, Gurdawarw sahib Talab Telo, renovation of heritage church, Zairat Baba Budhan Ali shah Maha Laxshmi Temple, Bahu fort, ancient Temple Sunjwan, Harkipora Temple have been carried out. While as the work on much awaited cable car project Mubarak Mundi would be taken up in next month.
The minister said Rs 6.39 crore are being expended on development of border tourism circuit Suchetgarh. He said that more border areas of the region would be developed to promote border tourism. He said to conserve the famous lakes of the region like Mansar, Sarnsar have already taken up by the government. He said that focused thrust would be also paid to promote adventure tourism in the region adding that recently International rafting championship has been organized in river Chenab.
The tourism Minister said that cores of Rupees expended for infrastructure development and other tourist facilities under the Development authorities of the province and many more tourism circuits developed in the region to show case in and outside the Country.
Mir said that due consideration is being also given to publicize the varied tourism potential of the region like other parts of the State. He said the government would also expand organization of festivals depicting the rich cultural ethos of the region. He assured that all the potential spots of the region would be brought on tourism map of the Country and hoped that due to sincere cooperation of Jammuties the Jammu in near future would become hub of tourism activities.
Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture, Atul Dallo, Managing Director JKTDC, Mr Satash Nehru, Director Tourism Jammu, R.S. Mehta, Director Tourism Kashmir, Talat Parvaz, Chief Executive Officers of Jammu division besides President hotel Association Jammu, Inderjeet Khujari, President Parotan Vikas Mandal, Ravi Mahajan, Vice Chairman Hotel Association Jammu, Kuldeep Wahi, President Tour and Travel operators association Jammu, presidents of other tourism related associations and senior representatives attended the meeting.