M L Gupta
Jammu region, one of the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir State has remained neglected and has not received much attention from the Governments since independence. Jammu, like Kashmir valley is endowed with natural beauty and brests of rich cultural heritage. There are various parts in this region which have tremendous tourism potential. If this potential is exploited to the hilt, it can change the socio-cultural landscape of this province.
The Prime Minister of India has done a laudable job by providing the state a grant of 80,000 crores to cover the losses of the people of flood hit valley and is also considering three longest tunnels for all weather connectivity within the state at a cost of Rs. 15,000 crores out of which one connecting Chenani with Nashri has already been inaugurated by him. Mr Modi may also constitute expert committees to go into the following issues of development:-
* Permanent solution to tackle flooding in the Kashmir valley as well Tawi catchment in Jammu.
* Ending of cross border terrorism so that tourist flow to valley is not only restored to 1987-88 level but even further.
* Due to direct rail link to Katra stay of pilgrims both at Katra, and Jammu city has declined.
In order to create other avenues for prolonged stay of tourists in Jammu region various tourist destinations in and around Jammu city as well Katra need to be developed as independent tourists circuits.
i) The Patnitop-Kud circuit could further be made attractive by creating a Mughal type garden around water stream flowing down the hill at left side of path way to Sanasar beside a mini artificial lake on right side. Natha Top be developed as hotel complex beside a skiing rink for winter sports. Further, Pancheri, if possible, be connected to this circuit through a pony track and jeepable road via Kud/Sanasar hill tops.
ii) Mantalai, Sudh Mahadev and Chenani be developed as an independent tourist circuits to be linked to Patnitop with rope way.
iii) Mansar and Surinsar lakes could be developed on the pattern of Nanital by providing fifty feet wide green grass strip around it as far as possible followed by a jeepable road, hotel spots to be auctioned, pony tracks around and along the various points to wards hillocks where hutment colonies could be developed . Other circuits like Bani ,Sarthal, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri including spots like Noori Chamb, Peeyoda, Sukh Sarover, Nanded Sarover and Balla Garh can similarly be developed.
Beside developing Jammu city as heritage city some smart development could he considered Partap Garh in Municipal Ward 15. The road to Raghunath Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Darugarah Mohalla and Residency be widened to at least eighty feet besides six feet path way on each side. Further Govt. only needs to coordinate between residents of the area and noted builders so that later can provide sky rise buildings along the periphery having shopping complex in basement and ground floor beside two or three bed room flats from 1st floor onwards. The central portion of the area under consideration be utilized for construction parks and parking lots. The displaced residents and shopkeepers be provided flats and shops, number depending upon the size of their buildings. The heritage city with modern smart development and wider roads will go a long way to beautify Jammu city.
(The author is former MD J&K Minerals Ltd)
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