Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 10: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today stressed on chalking out a comprehensive plan to optimally tap the tourism potential of the Pir Panchal region.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened to review the progress of tourism development works taken up in Rajouri district.
District Development Commissioner Rajouri Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Joint Director Tourism Jammu Vishesh Paul Mahajan, Chief Executive Officer Rajouri Development Authority Showkat Malik, Executive Engineer besides senior officers of the tourism and concerned departments were present in the meeting.
The Minister took a detailed review of the ongoing works taken up under Integrated Development of Tourist Circuit Darhal as base camp and Shakarmarg being projected as gateway to the tourist destination of Pir Panchal. The project is being executed under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP).
The Minister directed the concerned executing agency to complete the work of Tourist Reception Centre at Koteranka and ensure better tourist amenities at Base Camp Kandi and Darhal.
He directed that the work on Budhkhanari the base camp for Shakarmarg trek route should be completed on priority.
The Minister also directed to prepare a comprehensive plan for developing more tourism infrastructure under PMRP envisaging water resort near Ans river, Tribal museum cum cultural center, golf course, amusement park at Koteranka. He said these would certainly give a fillip to the tourism activities in the area. He also asked to complete the ongoing work of Rock Garden at Ujhan.
The Minister also asked the tourism department to take up Development of Girgantop which has potential to act as a feast for nature lovers.
Zulfkar stressed that all stakeholders need to work in synergy to ensure that all the Developmental projects are completed in time and best of facilities are offered to the tourists.
Meanwhile, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today chaired a high level meeting to review the progress of key development projects in the border district of Rajouri.
Reviewing progress on road projects, the Minister was informed that 10 KM road from Marasi to Hobbiyala via Bagyalkote would be completed upto shingling level by end of December 17, while 7km Jamola Kha road is expected to be completed by March -next year.
Presently work is apace on 17 NABARD schemes costing Rs 51.58 crore and 3 CRF projects costing Rs 100.32 crore, the meeting was informed.
The Minister asked the concerned executing agency to expedite and complete work on the bridges at Ratala Jamula, Sora Gala, Gurian Panihad to provide connectivity to the population being benefitted by these projects.
Minister directed to prepare DPR of new bridges over Ans Nallan at Draman, and Rtawala Kandi.
Minister was informed that construction work of Medical college at Rajouri is going on at full pace. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 139 crore.
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