Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 8: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a meeting of Tourism Department to take stock of the completion of projects taken up under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme here in J&K and also reviewed the facilities being extended at Shiv Khori Shrine ahead of the Mahashivratri festival.
Those who attended includes Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, Culture; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Secretary, PWD; Secretary , H&ME; Secretary, Transport, MD, JPDCL; DC, Reasi; Director Tourism, Kashmir/Jammu; MD, Cable Car Corporation and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary took note of the progress made on projects taken up at the religious sites under PRASHAD scheme. He also enquired about the projects that had been submitted to Ministry of Tourism, GoI for augmenting infrastructure at other religiously and culturally significant places found across the districts of the UT.
He stressed upon the concerned to execute the projects on ground and their early completion keeping in view their importance for bringing ease to the visitors. He also directed for early submission of plans for other eligible sites for their comprehensive development too.
He enjoined upon the Tourism, Culture and Public Works Departments to identify works and execute them keeping in consideration their religious and cultural significance. He called for their completion preserving their aesthetic appeal, local art and architecture.
The Chief Secretary further asked for identification of additional sites in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions on the basis of tourist footfall there. He stressed on framing comprehensive plans as per the set format so that these too are developed on modern lines.
In her presentation, the Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Yasha Mudgal informed the meeting that the projects for development of Utterbehni, Purmandal and Katra are in pipeline. She revealed that the plan for Katra includes Rs 44.52 cr with main components of multilevel car parking, facade improvement of fawara chowk, walkway development to Darshan Deodi, construction of public toilets and other Illumination and beautification works.
The scope of works for development of Utterbehni and Purmandal were given as construction of steel suspension foot bridge, 3D mural paintings, landscaping/vertical garden, multi-facility complex at Purmandal, development of riverfront, facade lighting, sewerage treatment besides protection and other beautification works.
Other projects submitted to GoI for approval includes development of Ganga Ghat at River Choti Ganga near Thanda Pani Bridge, Development of pilgrim circuit at district Udhampur at the cost of Rs 13.47 cr.
It also includes development of Hari Parbat Fort, Kheer Bhawani Temple, Baba Shukr-ud-din Shrine at Watlab (Sopore), Baba Lal Sahib Shrine Kupwara, Religious Circuit in district Poonch, Development of Kailash Kund and other shrines at Bhaderwah township.
Regarding the development of Shiv Khori Cave Shrine, the Chief Secretary directed for extending all the facilities for smooth conduct of upcoming Mahashivratri Festival to be celebrated from February 25-27 here.
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