Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 26: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, today said that the Jammu and Kashmir is known for its scenic splendor across the globe and maintained that there were lot of unexplored beautiful areas which needs to be projected at the national and international levels for attraction of tourists and pilgrims, adding that Government is making all out efforts to highlight such areas to promote lucrative tourism trade in all potential areas of the State.
The Minister was interacting with a cross section of people, including representatives of various social and religious organization as well as Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area during his visit to Basawa near Chowki Choura here today.
The Minister also attended the annual congregation of Baral Baradari as the chief guest. Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for development of OBC, Kuldeep Raj Verma was guest of honour at the function organized by the Bua Datti Temple Management Committee in collaboration with Baral Baradari at Bawa Chowki Choura, in which thousands of people participated.
Felicitating the people on this occasion, the Minister said that all religious show the path which leads to prosperous and peaceful life, adding that religions are the moral code of conduct for truthful living.
The Minister said that Akhnoor area has witnessed massive development in all sectors because of effective planning and implementation of various schemes under R&B, PDD, Health, Tourism, Education and PHE Sectors. He said a comprehensive plan for development of right bank of River Chenab is under progress. He said that Akhnoor Fort and right bank of River Chenab up to old bridge of Akhnoor are being developed as a heritage site.
Responding to the demands of the locals , Mr. Sham said that Government is conscious of the difficulties of the people of this far-flung and hilly areas. He said such areas are now getting focused attention and many special schemes and development projects have been devised to match their requirements and needs. He sought cooperation and support from the people in the effort of the Government in this regard.
On the local and management committee demand for approach road and construction of a platform at the historical religious place, the Minister asked the PWD authorities to make a comprehensive plan for this purpose and start the work as early as possible.
Describing Akhnoor as a water scarcity zone, the Minister said that the Government was paying special focus on kandi areas in providing safe drinking water as well as irrigation facilities to the people and farmers.
He directed the concerned engineers to under take new schemes and augmentation of existing dugwell as well as tube wells. He asked the Tourism Department to put their sincere efforts in developing the place on modern line so that the visiting tourists and pilgrims could enjoy their spare time with full joy.
Earlier, the Minister and OBC Vice Chairman paid obeisance at Bua Datti Ji Temple and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State.
On the occasion, the President of Bua Datti Management Committee Mangal Sharma presented turbans to the dignitaries.
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