Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Nov 17: In a significant development, the Government of India has approved five mega projects worth more than Rs 25 crore for promotion of tourism and development of new tourist spots in Jammu region.
These projects include restoration of historic artificial waterfalls at Chiryai Muthal near Katra, Multimedia Light and Sound projects at Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu and Katra town, Children Park at Jasrota near Kathua and infrastructure development at scenic meadows in Lal Draman near Doda.
According to the authoritative sources, the Union Ministry of Tourism has given its approval to all these projects worth more than Rs 5 crore each, which were prepared and submitted by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu a few months ago.
Official communiqués conveying the approval of Union Government to four of these projects have been received by the State Tourism Department while the Chiryai Muthal Project is also cleared and formal approval to the same is likely to be received within days, sources added.
While elaborating, sources disclosed that the tourism project for restoration of rare artificial waterfalls of 16th century with source of water from natural springs (Bowlies) at Chiryai Muthal around 15 kms from Katra town, will cost Rs 502.70 lakh.
Made by Raja Chaggar Singh, these waterfalls are in a dilapidated condition at present and once restored to their original glory besides beautification of the surrounding area, the spot has great potential to attract a large number of tourists, particularly those visiting the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, sources explained.
As per the Detailed Project Report, restoration of these artificial waterfalls, Bowlies, beautification and landscaping of the area, raising of additional infrastructure etc for developing the spot as an attractive tourist destination will be completed in three stages.
Multimedia Light and Sound Project at Katra town is going to be another major attraction for the pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. This multimedia show on the mythology associated with incarnation of Mata Vaishno Devi will be screened in MP Theatre at Shalimar Park near Ban Ganga.
Jammu Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation, which is being assigned the job of project completion, is mulling to approach top actors like Amitabh Bacchan for background voice for the show, sources said.
A similar Light and Sound project for Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu has also been approved by the Government of India. This will be the show on 15 by 18 feet water screen on which laser images will appear highlighting the history and origin of Jammu.
The tourism project worth more than Rs 5 crore for Ujh at Jasrota in Kathua, involves development of a children park , landscaping of the area, water channels with fountains, water bodies and raising of huts.
Scenic meadows at Lal Draman, around 18 kms from Doda, are going to be another major tourist attraction in this region as the approved project for development of the spot comprises raising of necessary facilities like restaurant and huts etc there for stay of the visiting tourists.
This is apparently for the first time that Jammu got such a big number of Tourism projects worth crores while Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Diwan is learnt to have played a key role in getting these schemes approved, sources said.
When contacted, Director Tourism, Jammu, Soujanaya Sharma said that the Government is all set to start work on implementation of the projects after tendering exercise and other required formalities.
He also informed that some more projects for tourism promotion in Jammu are in pipeline.
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