Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) has urged the coalition Government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to ensure time bound completion of Tourism related projects in Jammu region.
Addressing a meeting after handing over memorandum regarding protection and promotion of tourism in Jammu to the Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed, when he was addressing a conclave of stakeholders of J&K connected with tourism sector, Inderjeet Khajuria, president AJHLA, explained the dire necessity and urgency to complete the ongoing tourism related projects in a time bound manner for the attraction of tourists and pilgrims to Jammu.
Expressing his concern, Khajuria explained that not more than 2 percent pilgrims stay in Jammu out of more than one crore Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims at Katra.
Referring to ongoing project of artificial lake on Tawi River, which is nearing completion but for construction of 17 diversion channels to divert affluent and municipal waste with completion of bank development works has seen no progress.
Similarly, cable car project foundation stone of which was laid during September 14, with 13 months completion time has seen no progress till date due to problems in land acquisition, Multi-storied shopping complex with parking & ISBT has not achieved any progress while progress of Mubarak Mandi heritage complex project is dead slow.
He said that upgradation of Manda Wild Life Sanctuary to the National park is in progress and in view of area of operation available with the Wild Life Department there should be no dearth of funds for early completion.
He also batted for making Jammu as independent tourist destination and sought immediate attention of the Government towards development of Mansar and Surinsar lakes, Gharana wet land, water-cum-amusement park at Bhour Camp, environment park at bye pass, etc.
He also expressed concern over Pollution Control Board for unnecessarily harassing the hoteliers directing them to close their business, in the absence of installation of sewerage treatment plants and urged Government to issue explicit instructions to the PCB to wait till the sewerage connections are provided by JMC , as committed by its Commissioner.