Excelsior Correspondent
SANKOO (KARGIL), Aug 20: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said she has directed her Government to promote Kargil as a separate package in the tourism market.
Addressing a well-attended public meeting here after laying the foundation of two road projects, the Chief Minister said nature has bestowed Kargil with unique features which ought to be sold as a separate package. She said the area has some of world’s tallest Buddhist icons which once connected to the Bhuddist tourist circuit would increase the tourist footfall by great measure.
Similarly, the Chief Minister said villages like Bimbut, Hundurman and other places can be developed under border tourism and also the memorials of Kargil war could attract a large number of visitors. She added sports like river rafting and Polo have a great scope to be developed and promoted as an attraction.
Mehbooba yesterday reviewed the functioning of Kargil and Zanaskar Tourism Development Authorities and directed seeking expert guidance for promoting the tourism potential in these areas. She had also directed involving travel agents, bloggers, writers etc. for the purpose.
Responding to local demands, the Chief Minister announced upgradation of a local school to a Higher Secondary School. She also announced exploring the possibility of opening up of a nursing school in the area. She said she has directed conducting a survey of Panikhar-Kishtwar road by the R&B Department and covering of un-electrified villages with power distribution. She said integrated courses would be started at the Satellite campus of Kashmir University and more streams would be added to the curriculum.
On the occasion, Mehbooba laid the foundation of upgradation of 18.10 kilometre Brakoo-Itchu road to be developed at a cost of Rs. 21.97 crore. The road project is expected to be completed by next financial year.
She also laid the foundation of 10.10 kilometre long Photang-Karsha-Sari Zanaskar circular road which would be built at a cost of Rs. 18 crore and would also be completed by next fiscal.
At Khumbathang, she announced modernisation of the local hospital and creation of an Education Zone for the area. She also directed exploring possibility of constructing bridge at Tresspone over Suru river.
Meanwhile, several deputations met Mehbooba Mufti, who is on a three day visit to Ladakh region, here today.
The members of these deputations thanked the Chief Minister for getting the much awaited Zojila tunnel sanctioned by the Central Government. They also thanked Mehbooba for her announcement to augment facilities at the Kargil Degree College in terms of introduction of new courses, construction of more accommodation etc.
A deputation of representatives of Congress Party led by MLA, Asgar Karbalai demanded introduction of air service to Kargil, restoration of telephone connectivity, addition of more streams at the Satellite campus of Kashmir University and filling the vacant posts of doctors and para medics in the district.
Deputations of representatives of PDP and BJP also made similar demands with the Chief Minister and sought early start of work on the Zojila tunnel. Similar demands were made by the members of Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, Kargil who also demanded improvement and upgradation of Turtuk-Hano road.
A deputation of representatives of Kargil tour and travel industry thanked Mehbooba Mufti for her efforts to get the place promoted as a separate package for which they sought guidance and support.
A deputation of local employees demanded sanctioning of hardship allowance in their favour on the pattern of Central Government employees working in the area. A group of students demanded facilities for the student community like fare concessions, scholarships etc. They also demanded posting of a full time Principal in the College.
A group of Councillors from Zanaskar sought promotion of the area under tourism campaign. They also demanded setting up of a bank branch at Padum and a fire station at Zanaskar.
A deputation of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama’at sought representation in the decision making in the district besides land for a school run by them. Some representatives of mediapersons sought more connectivity and other facilities to discharge their duties professionally.
The Chief Minister assured the deputations that steps would be taken to address the demands put forth by them in a phased manner. She thanked the people of the district for the rousing reception accorded to her on her visit to the district.
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