Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 5: The State Government has prepared Rs. 8 crore plan to create the Mughal Road-Poonch tourist circuit via Kashmir valley to boost the economic activity in the area, revealed Tourism Minister, Ghulam Ahmad Mir while chairing a Poonch Development Authority meeting held here today.
The Minister said that another detailed project report would be formulated to create way side amenities along Mughal Road via Jammu and directed the concerned authorities to formulate the DPRs for early submission to the Centre for approval of funds.
“The creation and the upgradation of the necessary tourist infrastructure facilities are underway. New scenic spots like Pushana, Doogron, Chadinarh, Sailan, Bhuriekhat, Buffliaz, Mandi Phegla, Mandi Laran and Bhimber Gali, would be brought under the jurisdiction of the PDA for their development,” he said.
Mir said a lake circuit is also being developed in the area as a tourist attraction, adding that in this regard the Centre has approved funding of Rs. 4.19 crore and already released Rs. 83.82 lakh as a first installment.
Mir said that the promotion of heritage tourism in the area is also receiving focused attention of the Government, adding that renovation of Poonch Fort was taken up at a cost of Rs. 3.79 crore and Government would submit another project to the Centre for funding so that complete renovation of heritage sites in the area is carried out.
Mir said that historical tourist spots of Poonch district are also being fully explored by expending Rs 20.00 crore under Poonch Tourism Development Authority (PTDA), funded under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP). He said tourist spots along the way side of Mughal Road like Noori Chamb, Peer-ki-Gali, Tatta Panni would be developed on priority.
MLA Poonch Aijaz Jan, Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture, Atul Duloo, District Development Commissioner Poonch, Special Secretary Planning Department, Director Tourism Jammu, Managing Director Cable Car Corporation, Managing Director JKTDC, Chief Executive Officer PDA, Chief Town Planner, Jammu, Additional Secretary Tourism, Joint Director Planning Tourism Department besides other senior officers of concerned departments attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, 5th meeting of Doodhpathri Development Authority (DDA) was also held here under the chairmanship of Tourism Minister. During the meeting detailed review was held on physical and financial achievements registered by DDA for the holistic tourism development of Doodhpathri destination.
MLA, Khan Shahib, Hakim Yasin was also present in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Minister said that tourism potential of Doodhpathri is being explored fully. He said to upgrade infrastructure facilities at the destination, the Centre has sanctioned another project of Rs 4.09 crore for Doodhpathri and already released Rs. 81.88 lakh for the purpose.
On the occasion, the CEO PDA gave power point presentation depicting scenic spots and tourist infrastructure facilities at the destination.
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