Srinagar: The Departmental Related Standing Committee-II (DRSC) of the Legislative Council has instructed the authorities of the Tourism Department, JK Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC), Cable Car Corporation (CCC) and various Development Authorities to redouble their efforts initiated by them for promotion of tourism sector so that more and more tourists are attracted towards the State.
The Committee which met here today under the Chairmanship of MLC Vijay Bakaya reviewed overall functioning of the Department, Corporations and Development Authorities and got feedback about the activities being carried out by them in the State.
Legislators Jahangir Ahmad Mir, B. R. Kundal, S. Dharambir Singh Oberoi and Dr. Shahnaz Ganai attended the meeting and gave their suggestions for improving the functioning of the Department and its allied Corporations and Development Authorities.
The Committee stressed on providing wayside amenities to the tourists and local commuters along the historical Mughal Road besides improving such facilities presently available on Lakhanpur-Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The Committee observed that the wayside amenities will not only facilitate a link between various historic sites scattered along Mughal Road but will also provide economic benefits including employment opportunities to the local populace.
It was informed in the meeting that the tourism sector especially the pilgrim tourism is gaining momentum day by day in the State for which the department besides the Corporations and Development Authorities are leaving no stone unturned to provide each and every facility to them as per their convenience.
It was informed in the meeting that pilgrim tourism has witnessed a record number of 134.24 lac pilgrims during the year 2012 out of which 104.95 lac visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine, 19.44 lac visited ancient Shiv Khori and 9.85 lac visited Shahdra Sharief Rajouri respectively. The meeting was informed that the figures were all high as compared to last several years.
The Committee was informed that the Tourism Department has taken up preservation and development works for heritage buildings and sites which include Samba Fort, Jandi Fort Hiranagar, Bhimgarh Fort Reasi, Chingus Fort and Jamia Masjid Corridor, Srinagar, besides the development of Mubarak Mandi, Jammu, as tourist destination and socio-heritage centre.
The Chairman instructed the authorities of the Department to start conservation and preservation work of Poonch Fort immediately for which the Government of India (GOI) has already sanctioned Rs 3.79 crore for restoration work of this ancient fort.
The Committee also took a review of present status of Makhdoom Sahib Ropeway Project, Ropeway Project Peerkho to Mahamaya and Mahamaya Park to Shahbad, Bahu Fort, Patnitop Ropeway Project.
The Committee was informed that Makhdoom Sahib Ropeway Project has almost been completed at an approximate cost of Rs 6.00 crore and is being commissioned on August 15, 2013. The work on other Ropeway Projects is in progress where the bottlenecks are being removed by the concerned authorities.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture Attal Dullo, Director Tourism, Jammu Soujanaya Kumar, Director Tourism Kashmir Talat Parvez, Managing Director Cable Car Corporation Tufail Mattoo, Additional Secretary Legislative Council Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, Chief Executive Officers of the Development Authorities and senior officers of Council Secretariat attended the meeting.
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