Jammu, December 30, (Scoop News)-The Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir today said that the world famous tourist spot Verinag, popularly known as the gateway of Kashmir Tourism, would be developed as prime tourist destination.
He said that four centrally sponsored tourism infrastructure projects costing Rs 10 crore are apace at the Tourist resort, while the department is also formulating a proposal to develop a Cable Car project in the area.
This was stated by the Minister while reviewing the pace of various works being executed under Verinag Tourism Development Authority (VTDA) here today.
Minister of State for Tourism, Sajad Ahmad Kichloo was also present in the meeting.
Tourism Minister said to tap available tourism potential and to woo more tourists to the south Kashmir, the Government would also explore possibilities to develop a new tourist circuit involving the places like, Verinag–Khanabal–Kokernag–Simthan to prolong the stay of tourists.
The Minister directed MD Cable Car Corporation to complete all necessary formalities for early construction of Rope way at Verinag.
Mir said to create added infrastructure facilities at potential spots in Verinag area, the Centre has already sanctioned 4 projects of Rs 10.02 crore which include development of Sarbal lake at a cost of Rs 3.94 crore, construction of Budgeted accommodation at Verinag involving Rs 3.53 crore, and a Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at a cost of Rs 2.16 crore He said infrastructure facilities were also being upgraded at pilgrimage places in the area.
The Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure time bound completion of the all the ongoing project with judicious use of government exchequer.
Secretary Tourism Zafar Ahmad, Special Secretary Tourism, Managing Director Cable Car Corporation, Tufail Matto, Chief Executive Officer, Verinag Tourism Development Authority, Nazir Ahmad Thakur, Additional District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Consultant Finance Department and Joint Director Planning, Tourism Department were among other senior Officers who attended the meeting.
During the meeting, threadbare discussion was held to address the impediments and bottle necks in the speedy completion of various works undertaken by the Authority. The meeting also discussed current fiscal action plan of the Authority and instructed the concerned to come up with new proposal for creation of more infrastructure facilities in the area.
The Chief Executive Officer gave a detailed power point presentation on physical and financial achievements registered by the Authority for tourism development in the area. He informed that under state plan 30 tourism projects involving a total estimated cost of Rs 27.59 crore are apace in the area against which Rs 13. 82 crore have been expended till last fiscal.
He also informed the meeting that under Centre funding the work on 4 tourism projects costing Rs 10.02 crore was in full swing against which Rs 2.90 crore have been expended so far. He assured the meeting that Budgeted accommodation and TRC at Verinag would be completed by April next.
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