Jammu,April 24 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today described tourism the corner stone of State’s economy, He said that the abundant water resources and natural grandeur are two potential areas of Jammu and Kashmir to harness for holistic development and well being.
Addressing a large number of golfers and Jammutis at a prizes giving ceremony on the conclusion of inaugural golf tournament at Sidhra near Jammu today, the Chief Minister said that vigorous efforts are on to retrieve the State’s pristine tourism glory and bring Jammu on the tourist map of the world.
Omar Abdullah in the morning inaugurated first phase of Rs. 41 crore Golf Course laid on the bank of river Tawi on the foot of Sidhra hillock. Spread over an area of about 400 kanals, the newly laid Golf Course with nine holes is of international standard possessing unique and picturesque location.
An amount of Rs. 21 crore has so far been spent on the development of 9 holes of the proposed 18 hole Jammu Tawi Golf Course.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad tee-off the first tournament and also participated in it. Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for School Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisors to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul and Devender Singh Rana, legislator Jugal Kishore and a great number of golfers were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that Government is keen to develop sports tourism in the State adding that Sidhra in Jammu is being developed as township of sports. “We are working on a proposal for establishing Tennis Academy here while the work on construction of cricket stadium is apace”, he said adding that these attractions would encourage the tourists and sports lovers to stay here and take part in mega events.
Congratulating Jammutis for their dream coming true, Omar Abdullah said that the newly constructed Golf Course was a long demand of the people which has been realized in a great way. He said Golf Courses at Pahalgam and Gulmarg are being completed this year.
The Chief Minister said that he wants to place in record the contribution of former Chief Minister in the development of Jammu Tawi Golf Course. “It was Azad who conceptualized this project and started it and we have now transformed his dream into reality”, he added and also referred to the tireless and skilful service rendered by the Chief Architect of the Golf Course Col. Bagga.
Omar Abdullah called for efforts to convert some percentage of 80 lakh annual pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi towards golf events to give boost to local economy. “If we are able to attract even a one percent of the huge number of pilgrims towards this activity it would mean a lot to the economy of Jammu”. He said.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah stressed on the maintenance of Golf Course and completion of all the 18 holes as soon as possible.
“You should look for showcasing this picturesque Golf Course of international standard for national and international events”, he told the management of the Golf Course and State Tourism Department adding that developing a Golf Course may be a difficult task but the more difficult is its maintenance. He asked the concerned to take every measure for the proper maintenance of the Golf Course.
Dr. Abdullah also emphasized the need of imparting training to youth in golf and encouraging them to participate in the tournaments. He also underlined the need for training women golfers. “This would help to grow the activity and maintain the Golf Course properly”, he added.
Union Minister who is also President of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association said that a high standard cricket stadium is being developed at Sidhra. “I have asked the developers to take every care in spending the funds judiciously and transparently”, he said adding that the stadium along with cricket academy would come up within next two-three years and help in a big way to give fillip to this game popular sports in the State.
Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora in his address referred to over a dozen of tourism infrastructures being developed in Jammu and said that efforts are on to make the city of temples richly attractive for the tourist of wide ranging interests.
Jora appreciated the former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s contribution in the development of Golf Course in Jammu and initiation of other similar projects.
Rubbishing the idea being circulated by vested interests about going slow on these projects, Rigzin Jora said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has given him categorical directions to pace up the work on all these projects and ensure their early completion and commissioning. “The fast track completion of the Tawi Golf Course under the stewardship of Omar Abdullah is an example in this regard”, he asserted.
Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani in his welcome address presented the resume of the measures underway in the State to give necessary fillip to the tourism. He and said that the Golf Course at Tawi bank is one of the many projects under implementation in Jammu to bring it on tourist map. He thanked the Chief Minister and Union Ministers, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad for the tee-off and participating in the inaugural tournament.
The Chief Minister on the occasion also gave away prizes to the participants and the officials for rendering meritorious service for the completion of the Golf Course
Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atal Dulloo presented vote of thanks while various members of the Council of Ministers and Advisors to the Chief Minister were present at the prizes giving function besides various government officials.