JK Government focuses on world class tourist infrastructure to restore its pristine glory in tourism

Jammu, December 08 (Vijay Kumar) –Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that state government focuses on creation of world class tourist infrastructure in the J&k state to restore its pristine glory in tourism sector. “There are numerous health resorts and places of natural beauty like Bangus Valley which the government wants to showcase globally”, he said adding that venturing in this sector by investors could be highly beneficial both for them as well as for the state. “Health and education sectors could be other fields of mutual interests”, he said.

The Chief Minister was addressing a meeting where Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC) gave power point presentation of the projects it is constructed in the state.

He said that state government is also looking for befitting partnership with big industrial and construction houses to raise dependable infrastructure in the sectors of power, transportation, water supply and tourism. “Other works of high class engineering construction like bridges, tunnels and higways can also be worked out with the reputed private investors and companies in partnership or public-private partnership mode in the state to give considerable fillip to the re-construction of public utility and economy sectors”, he added.

Omar said that the high class expertise of HCC in engineering and construction, infrastructure development, real estate building and urban development management provides a good scope for the partnership or public-private partnership mode projects.

The Chief Minister while appreciating the work of Hindustan Construction Corporation on Mughal Road project expressed the hope that the tunneling of Pir Panchal for Railways and construction of Chutak, Uri and Nimoo Bazgo Hydro-electric power projects executed by the HCC would be put on fast track for early completion. “People are eagerly waiting for these projects”, he said highlighting the importance of these in the economic development of the state.

In the energy sector, HCC is executing 330 MW, Rs.2726 crore Kishanganga Hydro-electric project, 240 MW, Rs.575 crore Uri-II Hydro-electric project, 44 MW, Rs. 410 crore Chutak Hydro-electric project and 45 MW, Rs.384 crore Nimoo Bazgo Hydro-electric project. The Corporation is also constructing 84 km Mughal Road Project and 11 km Pir Panchal rail tunnel at the cost of Rs.580 crore.

The Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Construction Corporation,. Ajit Gulabchand presenting the resume of status of various projects Corporation is executing in the country especially in Jammu and Kashmir said that HCC had five decades association with the Jammu and Kashmir which started by the construction of a bridge on river Chenab in 1966. He said the construction of Salal Hydro-electric project also goes the credit of HCC. He said as many as five power projects, two tunneling projects and construction of Mughal Road is being looked after by the HCC at present in the state.

The Chairman also gave details about the Lavasa Plan- a Rs.1400 billion project led by HCC to build a Hill City over an area of 12500 acres, nestled amidst the majesty of the Sahyadri Mountains along the contours of Warasgaon Lake in the periphery of Pune.

 Gulabchand said that HCC is presently engaged in the construction of dams, barrages, tunnels, power houses, pumping stations, treatment plants, highways, bridges, utility buildings, industrial structure, underground caverns, ports, railway project, canals, pipelines etc. in the country.

The meeting was among others attended by the Minister for R&B,  G. M. Saroori, Minister of State for power,  Shabir Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for R&B,  Javaid Ahmed Dar, Political Advisor to Chief Minister,  Devender Singh Rana, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department,  B. R. Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary, R&B,  Mehboob Iqbal, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation,  Bipul Pathak and senior officers of various departments.

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