Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 6: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today that Prime Minister will lay foundation stone for the construction of Zojila tunnel to keep the Ladakh connected with the rest of the State throughout the year.
Mufti while addressing a gathering on the occasion of throwing the Tulip garden open for public said that Kashmir needs to be connected with the rest of the country in freak weather as well. He said that there is need for an alternate highway and he has asked the Union Government that Mughal road should be given as National Highway status so that it becomes an alternate route for Kashmir.
Chief Minister said that Zojila tunnel foundation stone would be laid soon and Prime Minister of India will arrive here for it. It may be mentioned here that the Ladakh region remains out of bounds in winter due to heavy snowfall. The tunnel will keep the region connected with Kashmir valley during winters.
Mufti said that with the opening of the Tulip garden large numbers of tourists will arrive in Kashmir. He said that the tourist flow will increase this season. “Kashmir is crime-free and as peaceful as any other State in the country. I am hopeful that there will be a huge tourist rush this season. With Union Government allowing LTC on private airliners also, the visitors’ inflow will tend to increase,” he said.
Praising the administration for professionally handling the situation in the aftermath of incessant rains last week, CM said public perception also affected tourist arrivals to the Valley. “I am happy that flood threat is over and a large number of tourists are planning their visits,” he added.
Outlining the potential that floriculture offers as a tourist and commercial activity, the Chief Minister asked the Floriculture Department to revive propagation of tulip bulbs, which are presently imported from Holland.
Earlier after throwing Tulip garden open for public, Mufti went around the Tulip Garden and walked various pathways intertwined with flowerbeds of tulips of all hues sprawling all over the Zabarwan foothill.
The Minister for Floriculture, Garden and Parks, Syed Altaf Bukhari said the department is promoting floriculture as a commercial activity given the huge economic returns. He said more than 2 lakh tourists and locals are expected to visit the Tulip Garden this season. Around 1.5 lakh tourists visited the Garden last year.
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