Jammu, September 20(Vijay Kumar) –Jammu & Kashmir Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma today said that Akhnoor town will be developed as a Model town and various steps in this direction have been taken. He said that efforts are on to bring Akhnoor town on the tourist map in view of various ancient sites. He said that River Chenab is also as revered as Ganga as people worship this river and perform ritual rights on its bank. People from all corners of the country visit this historic and religious place. He said that efforts are being made to connect Akhnoor with Shiv Khori-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi tourist circuit via Mera Mandrian cutting short the distance substantially so that pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Deviji could also take advantage of visiting Akhnoor town to witness its 5000 years old civilization history, the Minister added.
Earlier the Minister flagged off the Heritage Walk at Akhnoor, the heritage walk was organized by the Department of Tourism and district administration as the part of ongoing Navratra festival-2009.The heritage walk started from the ancient Buddhist site at Ambaran and culminated at the Historic Jio Potha temple located on the Chenab River front walk way. Hundreds of school children and National Cadet Corps took part in the event with great enthusiasm.
The children marched on the river front walk way developed by the Department of Tourism passing through the historic sites of the town including Gurdwara Sahib, the Pandav Gufa, Parshuramji temple, the Akhnoor fort and the Jio Potha temple.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the importance of Akhnoor town and said that this town has a rich history as various spiritual saints like Mahatama Budh meditated here. He said that the history of town needs to be highlighted in right perspective so that lakhs of pilgrim visiting the State can have a glimpse of this sacred town. He asked the concerned departments to endorse the historical importance of Akhnoor to promote tourism in the area.
Deputy Superintendent Archaeological Survey of India also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the history of the Akhnoor town and said that Ambaran dates back to the Kushan times and excavations have uncovered chaitya, stupa and remains of a monastery here. He said that various articles including Terracotta limb parts and relic caskets and pottery have been uncovered here in large numbers.He underscored the antiquity of the Akhnoor which also has the remains inside the forts dating back to the Harrapan times making Akhnoor one of the oldest towns in this region.
Director Tourism, Jammu, S M Sahni also spoke about the steps being taken by the department to promote Akhnoor as a tourist destination which included developing the entire river front with emphasis on heritage and leisure tourism. He also spoke on harnessing the tremendous potential of rafting on the river Chenab from Reasi to Akhnoor.
The Director Horticulture, Jammu, Jia Lal Sharma, Director Floriculture, Jammu, K.K.Sharma, SDM Akhnoor, Ashok Sharma and officers of various departments besides prominent citizens also participated in the heritage walk.
Later, the Minister also addressed a massive public meeting at village Budh Charyie in Chowki Chowra block. He said that government is committed to provide all basic amenities to the people of the State especially the rural masses. He said various schemes have been launched to improve the living conditions of the people. He asked the people to come forward and take the benefits of these schemes.
Saying that road connectivity is imperative for the development of the area, the Minister said that government is making all out efforts to connect all the villages of Akhnoor constituency with road links, adding that education is an equally important sector and efforts have been made to provide education to one and all at their doorstep. He said that during the last few years a large number of primary schools have been opened and a substantial number of middle and high schools have been upgraded to High and Higher Secondary level.
The Minister also inspected various on-going works in the area. He directed the engineers to accelerate the pace of work and complete the projects within a stipulated time frame. The Minister also visited villages Sandal, Kanedi, Sanodi, Kanah, Padoon and Manal Bangla and took stock of the development scenario in these villages.
The Minister was apprised that at Chowki Chowa area road projects are in progress at an estimated cost of Rs. 12 crore. The work on Chowki Chowra-Ghaar Majoor-Sandal road is in full swing and till date Rs. 5.42 crore have been spent on this project, the Minister was told.
The Minister also interacted with deputations of different areas and listened to their demands. He issued on-the-spot instructions to the officers for appropriate disposal of the problems.