District Development Commissioner reviews snow clearance measures on Amarnathji Yatra route

Anantnag, June 04 - District Development Commissioner, Anantnag Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad today visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari and reviewed arrangements being made for smooth conduct of forthcoming Amarnath Yatra.

The DDC while reviewing the road clearance measures asked the Pahalgam Development Authority to speed up the pace of work and ensure snow clearance on the track from Chandanwari onwards well before the commencement of pilgrimage.

Sheikh Mushtaq also stressed for timely clearance and sprucing up of Pahalgam-Chandanwari road in view of ensuing Yatra period. Commandant Sector 1, Brigadier H K Kalra was accompanying the DDC.

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Minister for Tourism and Culture inspects various ongoing Tourism projects in Bhaderwah.

	Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora while inspecting various ongoing Tourism projects in Bhaderwah.

Srinagar, June 04 - Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora has said that tourism sector possess excellent potential for increasing the earning level of the people of the State. He said to give further boost to the industry in the State, the government has created Tourism Development Authorities of the various tourist resorts across the state. This was stated by the Minister while inspecting the pace of various works being carried out by the Bhaderwah Tourism Development Authority (BTDA) today during his 2nd day tour of the area.

Director Tourism Jammu, Chief Executive Officer, BTDA, Bhaderwah Additional District Development Commissioner Doda besides, other senior officers accompanied the Minister during his visit. Mr. Jora has said that Bhaderwah which is known as mini Kashmir needs to be showcased as the prime tourist destination of the state. He said a multi faceted tourism related infrastructure involving Rs. 26.35 crore carried out through BTDA is at final stage of its completion and would be commissioned by the end of this month.

The Minister appreciated the commendable work of CEO, Bhaderwah and other staff of the Authority for creating such a wonderful infrastructure in various tourist destinations of the area in a record period time. He called upon the CEOs of other Tourism Development Authorities in the state to work with same vigour and devotion to achieve time bound and results oriented objective like BTDA. “We are ready to receive and welcome the domestic and foreign tourists in Bhaderwah as sufficient tourism related infrastructure have been created by the government and people of the area”, he said.

The Minister also inspected Rs. 3.75 crore development project of Lake View Resort Park at Gotha and was apprised that almost all development works like construction of Lilly Pond, three hutments landscaping of park, walk ways, 10 KW micro-hydel project, parking place, public conveniences and installation of fountains have been completed. He also took stock of the construction of way side amenities and view points at Drudhoo, Nolthi, Teligrah, Kopra and Khellani where these facilities have been developed at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh.

Mr. Jora during his visit of famous tourist resort Jai was informed that construction work of four dome type hutments, a restaurant, two shelter sheds, floriculture and herbal garden besides, herbal cafe are in progress involving a total cost of Rs.3.14 crore. He also inspected Rs. 3.63 crore under execution tourist complex at Teligrah and was informed that the complex has an octagonal, restaurant and residential block with all modern facilities which would be completed fully by December this year.
Interacting with local tour travel operators, hotel owners, guest house owners and others prominent citizens of the area, the Minister said that the conservation and preservation work of Bhaderwah fort would be completed at a cost of Rs. 6.50 crore. He sought cooperation of the people of the area for giving more fillip to the tourism potential of the area. He assured them that due consideration would be also given for the preservation of rich cultural heritage of the area.

The Minister also interacted with tourists of Maharashtra and Indore who have come to visit the area. The tourists expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements kept available by the government and people for them. They said that Bhaderwah seems paradise on earth and added in future they would again come to visit the valley along with their relatives and friends.

Mr. Jora also flagged off an adventure course organized by Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS) in the mountain ranges of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar. He assured all possible help from Tourism Department to the institution for promoting its activities in the state.
The Principal of the institute Lt. Col. Mr. Varinder Singh said that an adventure sports institute would be constructed at Molti at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore. He said at present 46 candidates of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar are getting various trainings in the institute which would prove beneficial for them in future.