Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Feb 19: Minister of State for Education, Tourism and Culture, Priya Sethi today stated that the Government is committed to develop the places of religious importance and other tourist’s places. “Efforts are afoot to tap the immense potential of pilgrim tourism in the State and putting J&K in the world map as one of the major religious tourist destination”, the Minister asserted.
The Minister was speaking during the inauguration of Shiva Vatika at Peerkho costing Rs 47 lakh executed by Floriculture department. The work included supply, installation, testing and commissioning of red sand stone Sculpture of Lord Shiva Fountain in three layers.
Citing various steps undertook by the Government, the Minister said that several new initiatives including Ropeway projects, Multilevel parking, developing Bawe, Mohmaya and Peerkho as a tri-shrines on the lines of the idea once conceived by Jambhu Lochan, connecting five shrines and many more prestigious projects are underway to attract more tourists and enhance the pilgrim tourism in the region.
Priya said that the Government is ensuring the proper augmentation of the infrastructure at religious places and working on the same line, the installation of Fountain will add to beautification of the Peerkho shrine and attract more footfalls to the holy place, the Minister maintained.
She said that the recently held Peerkho mela has attracted a huge crowd and successful conduct of such events will prove to be decisive in development of Peerkho and other such historical significant places.
She further said that a special component has been earmarked for the tourism sector under Prime Minister’s Development Package that will prove to be key factor in expansion of JK’s tourism industry.
Terming J&K as a unique bouquet of diverse tradition and culture, the Minister said that the State inherited the wealthy traditions and spirituality wherein several religious places are thronged by people of all faiths.
MLA East, Rajesh Gupta, State Vice President Yudhvir Sethi, Distt President Baldev Baloria, Mahant Pir Ravinath Vinay Gupta, Shashi Khajuria and Director Floriculture, Babila Rakwal, Xen Arvind Gupta besides prominent citizens from all walk of life and functionaries of the concerned departments were present on the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
