Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: With a view to explore tourism potential in the state, the Government is focusing to put Sumah village falling in Akhnoor tehsil on the National Tourist Map. The previous Union Government has also earmarked Rs. 5.22 crore for the development of this village as a religious tourist destination in its first phase.
This was stated by the Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma while addressing a gathering of people at Sumah village in Akhnoor Tehsil.
The Minister appreciated the role of previous Union Government for the development of particular place as a religious tourist destination with various attractive components including construction of double storey dormitory, hut, development of old spring, construction of bathing ghat, development of park, construction of tiled path for walkway, construction of footbridge, construction of water body and approach road.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister said that Sumah village is famous for its rich heritage and religious background and thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country pay their visit. Taking cognizance of the importance of the place, the State Government is intending to develop it on the pattern of Jia Pota Ghat Akhnoor and Ganga-Haridwar, he added.
Mr. Sham said that the State Government was taking concerted measures for the preservation and conservation of heritage sites. He said the state of Jammu and Kashmir was known for its scenic splendour and rich cultural heritage across the world and there were lot of unexplored such areas which need to be projected at the national and international levels for attraction of tourists and pilgrims. He further said that state is making all out efforts to highlight such areas for the economic development.
Earlier, Mr. Sham inspected the ongoing construction work of foot bridge from Sumah temple to Sumah cave and directed the concerned executing agencies to complete the same within stipulated time frame. He also inspected the ongoing construction work of Sumah Nallah to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 10.5 crore.
Among others Director Tourism Jammu Soujanya Sharma, Director Floriculture K. K. Sharma, Chief Engineer PHE, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, XEns, AEEs and other senior officers of concerned departments were also present on the occasion.
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