Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 30: Highlighting the various measures initiated by the Government to promote tourism industry in the City of Temples, Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth services and Sports Raman Bhalla today said that all efforts will be made to fully tap tourism potential in Jammu.
The Minister was interacting with the residents of Bahu Fort after launching development works in the locality, here today.
Mr. Bhalla said the Government has approved various prestigious projects under tourism sector in Jammu to boost the tourism industry and promote it as a major tourist destination.
The Minister informed that all the formalities for construction of Cable Car Project (Gandola) from Peer Kho to Mahamaya and Mahamaya to Shahabad Basti in Bahu Fort have been completed and construction of the prestigious project would start soon at a cost of Rs 47 crore, he added.
Mr. Bhalla further said that Government has released Rs. 95.70 crore for construction of flyover from Bikram Chowk to Convent School, widening from Bikram Chowk to Satwari to 8 lane. He said the projects are under progress on war-footing by Economic Reconstruction Agency and would be completed within stipulated time frame.
The Minister said Bahu Fort area which is one of the emerging pilgrim destinations in the state is being developed on the modern lines, by providing better facilities to the devotees and tourists. He said that Government has also created modern line wayside facilities like recreational garden, aquarium, Balidan Stumb, landscaping, view points, tug shop, toilet blocks, fencing, illumination, drinking water besides construction of darshani deodi near Kalika colony. He said that the place would be a big attraction for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji pilgrims and others.
Mr. Bhalla said that Government has sanctioned Rs. 3.5 crore for developing river Tawi embankments near Peer Khoo temple which includes construction of parks, Tourist Reception Centre, adding that Rs 90 lakh have been earmarked for construction of view points and road widening from Bahu Fort to Harki Poudi temple.
Responding to the demand of Saryara Bridari Sabha, Minister said that instructions have been issued to Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for modernisation of Sabha so that the Biradari is able to utilise the place for arranging their social and religious functions there on nominal charges.
Mr. Bhalla said that Government is committed to provide all basic amenities to the residents of the Bahu Fort like better lanes and drains, adequate drinking water facilities, un-interrupted power supply, education, healthcare and road connectivity.
Follow our WhatsApp channel