Srinagar, June 23 – Union Secretary of Tourism S. Banerjee has said that two mega projects would be taken up at a cost of Rs 50 crore to upgrade tourism infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. In this regard he asked the concerned authorities to prepare the project reports of the tourist destinations where the infrastructure is required to be upgraded.
The funds would be released for early execution of these mega projects soon after receipt of the project reports by the Centre.
Banerjee, who arrived here today for 3-day tour of the state to take stock of physical and financial achievement registered under tourism sector, being executed under 12 tourism development authorities at a cost of Rs 240 crore, today chaired a high level meeting of officers of tourism department.
The Union Secretary stressed for expediting the upgradation works of tourism related infrastructure taken executed under Prime Ministers Re-construction Programme in the state. He impressed upon the concerned authorities to complete under execution mini and mega projects taken up for the development of tourism infrastructure at various tourist destinations, besides conservation and preservation of heritage sites in the state well in time. He said funds already released by Central government should be utilized in a proper way for the purpose.
Mr. Banerjee said that projects reports for taking up new works under PMs Package should be formulated and submitted to the Union Ministry well in time for its early approval. He assured that central tourism ministry was keen to take all necessary measures for tapping varied tourism potential of the state.
Secretary, State Tourism Department, Tanvir Jehan gave a power point presentation, detailing the achievements registered under 12 centrally-aided TDAs. She briefed the Union Secretary about various developmental activities being taken by the government for promoting tourism in the state. She said that out of Rs 115.72 crore released under PM’s Package, Rs 61 crore have been expended till date on development of tourism infrastructure in the state.
Tanvir Jehan requested Union Secretary for grant of additional funds for publicity campaign, organization of tourism marts and festivals in and outside the country besides promotion of adventure tourism in the state. She also pleaded for early approval of pending projects submitted by State Government to the Union Ministry of Tourism for funding.
Director Tourism Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism Jammu, S. M. Sahni, Managing Director JKTDC, R. A.Qadri, Managing Director Cable Car Project, Farooq Ahmad Khan, Chief Executive Officers of all development authorities besides senior officers of the department attended the meeting.
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