Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: Government has issued directions for replication of design of Tourist Information Centre (TIC) Leh in the Tourist Reception Centres of all the Tourism Development Authorities of the State.
Official sources said that the type design of TIC Leh was formulated and executed through Leh Development Authority by the outgoing Deputy Commissioner of the district, Saugat Biswas, who in the month of February this year noticed lack of an information centre for lakhs of tourists visiting Leh.
Accordingly, he converted an abandoned building which was planned for demolition into this “world class” TIC. The transformation was unbelievable for the locals and tourists visiting the TIC left generous comments on the visitor’s book. The TIC in Leh is still growing with the WWF setting up a museum in one room about the flora and fauna of Ladakh.
“The oxygen bar in the TIC has had a role to play in the fewer tourist deaths this season. The number of people who have visited the oxygen bar since June 12 is 825”, sources said.
Impressed with the initiative of Saugat Biswas and design of TIC Leh, the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is also holding portfolio of Tourism Department has desired construction of Tourist Information Centre to be made on the type design pattern of TIC Leh in all the Tourism Development Authorities of the State.
In order to maintain the type design uniformity across all destinations, the Tourism Department has issued broader guidelines for establishment/ construction of Tourist Information Centres.
The Chief Executive Officers of the Tourism Development Authorities have been directed that pace and progress of the work should be included and reflected in the monthly progress report to be submitted to the Administrative Department so that TICs on the pattern of Leh come up in all the TDAs within shortest possible time.
The Chief Executive Officers of the Tourism Development Authorities have been directed to set aside a space for establishment of TIC in the ground floor of existing TRCs for the purpose. “The TIC shall be established as per the type design and pattern of TIC Leh”, said a circular issued by the Tourism Department, adding provision of funds under Annual Plan 2015-16 would be made for carrying out any modification in the existing TRCs as per the type design.
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