Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 3: Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi today said the Government is contemplating to develop cable car in Loran and Tosamaidan to tap tourism potential of these areas.
Responding to a question raised by legislator Shah Mohammad Tantray in the Lower House, the Minister informed that the State Cable Car Corporation Ltd is going to conduct a survey in coming summer to execute the projects at these tourist destinations. She said the survey could not be done last year following tragic accident at Gulmarg.
She further stated that the Government is also contemplating to bring the State’s highest water fall at Nandi Chhol near Loran Mandi on tourist map.
The Minister said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for an amount of Rs 9.70 crore has been prepared for development of tourist facilities at Nandi Chhol waterfall. She said the project will be examined by a team of technical experts for its viability from tourism point of view and availability of resources.
The Minister further informed the House that the department is also ascertaining the feasibility for developing parks at Daniloran and Gali Maidan Sawjian for promotion of eco-tourism, subject to availability of sufficient resources. She said an amount of Rs 10 lakh has also been proposed for developing these parks during the next financial year under Capex budget.
Meanwhile, Priya Sethi informed the House that the Government is making concerted efforts to promote places of tourism attraction in Bhaderwah.
The Minister was replying to a question by MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Singh Parihar.
She further informed that Pul Doda, Gandoh, Bhalessa have also been covered under tourism development. She informed that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has recently sanctioned a project “Development of Water Sports Centre at Baglihar Dam – Pul Doda” costing Rs 2.98 crore and the work on same is in progress.
In Bhaderwah, tourism potential spots of Gatha, Sarna, Teligarh, Sungli, Nalthi, Padritop and Jai are being projected in big way by way of construction of Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Yatra Base Camp, wayside amenities, etc, she added.
The Minister told the House that five tourism projects amounting to Rs 1.20 crore stands completed in the Bhaderwah constituency, while four projects involving a cost of Rs.709.41 lakh are at advanced stage of completion.
Elaborating further, the Minister maintained that the Union Ministry of Tourism under Product Infrastructure Destination Development Circuit (PIDDC) scheme has taken an initiative to bring different villages across the State on the tourist map to tap the tourism potential, promote local art, craft and culture.
The Minister added that the Government has also taken steps to tap tourism potential in the areas like Chattergala, Chatri, Gurdanda, Hanga Noori, Tathenra, Bal Padri, Naglotun, Mahulwarkund, Gashir, Kanti, Dhaar, Charala, Jantron-Dhar, Raj Ghoot, Shiviz Dhaar. She said these areas would be developed according to the feasibility and availability of resources.