Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 11: Minister for Urban Development Department Nawang Rigzin Jora and Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today unveiled Comrade Dhanwantri statue at Jammu Development Authority (JDA) Park at Trikuta Nagar.
Vice Chairman JDA, Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, Commissioner JMC Kiran Wattal, Superintending Engineer JDA P L Bhushan besides other senior officers from JDA, JMC, Tourism and Floriculture Departments accompanied the Ministers.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jora said the Government was making concerted efforts to develop open spaces to add to the beauty of urban centers. He asked JDA to install steel type dustbins in the garden for public use. He called upon the people not to put waste inside the park, adding that Government was committed to provide good environ to the visitors.
Mr. Jora said Government has taken up several projects to develop Jammu city area, which is one of the fast emerging pilgrim and tourist destination. He said Rs. 110 crore artificial lake is under progress and would be completed within stipulated time frame. He said he as a Tourism Minister, recommended a detailed project report to Central Government for construction of cable car project from Mahamaya to Bahu Fort and Bahu Fort to Peer Kho temple. He further informed that Central Government has okayed the project and it would be started shortly.
Paying rich tributes to Comrade Dhanwantri, the Minister for Urban Development Department, recalled the exemplary sacrifices made by the freedom struggle hero while fighting alongwith Shaheed-e-Aazm Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Shiv Verma and others against British Imperialism.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla also paid rich tributes to comrade Dhanwantri and said the great leader sacrificed his life for freedom of India.
Responding to the local demands, Mr Bhalla said that Government has submitted a project proposal involving Rs. 5 crore to Central Government for installation of laser show at Bahu Fort, adding that the project is under the consideration of the Union Tourism Ministry.
For facilitating the pilgrims of Mahakali Mata, the Minister said Government has approved Rs. 69.50 lakh for construction of Jorah Ghar, langer space, installation of LED lights and modernisation of ancient fountain in Maha Kali Temple in Bahu Fort besides restoration of pristine glory of Bahu Fort. He said work on the projects is under progress on war-footing.
He asked the Revenue officers to remove illegal encroachments within the Maha Kali temple. He said that focused attention is being paid for developing all the open spaces as recreational parks besides creating other necessary facilities. He said that a number of measures are being taken to develop new tourism spots and conserve century old monuments in City of Temples.
Earlier, the Minister visited Brahaman Mohalla in Babliana and kick started construction work of deep drain, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 6 lakh. He asked the Urban Environmental Engineering Department to complete the project within stipulated time frame by using quality of material.
Responding to the demand of locals, he asked the I&FC to immediately remove the bushes from the edge area of Ranbir canal at Babliana and plant permanent ornamental plants there.
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