Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings Ch Lal Singh today said that Government will focus on developing religious places in Jammu region to promote pilgrim tourism.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at a function held at Jio Pota in Akhnoor, here this afternoon. MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma besides people in large numbers were present on the occasion.
The Minister said that efforts are being made to draw pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to other tourist resorts of the region particularly in Akhnoor town. He informed that Government has spent Rs 7 crore for creating various infrastructure facilities at Akhnoor, adding that Government intends to promote water-sports in river Chenab at Akhnoor to promote tourism.
Ch Lal Singh said instructions have been issued to concerned authorities for conservation and protection of historical monuments and sites. He said fillip in state’s tourism is embedded in linking it with cultural distinctiveness of the state, which can attract domestic, foreign and Indian diaspora to the State.
The Minister said that all the regions of the State have their own distinct identity and cultural heritage, which is being protected and showcased as heritage tourism. He said restoration and conservation of several heritage sites in Akhnoor is on which includes famous Akhnoor Fort, Jio Pota Ghat, Terra Cotta, Buddhist monuments at Ambaran, Pandow Gufa, Sumah, Jio Pota Library developing the right bank of Chenab river as heritage site etc.
Ch Lal Singh said Jammu and Kashmir state is known for its scenic splendour across the globe and maintained that there were lot of unexplored beautiful areas which need to be projected at the national and international levels for attracting tourist and pilgrims, adding that Government is making all out efforts to highlight Jio Pota area of Akhnoor for pilgrim tourism.
Ch Lal Singh said that Akhnoor tehsil has witnessed massive development in all sectors because of an effective planning, adding that various schemes under R&B, PHE, PDD, Health, Tourism and education have been initiated to achieve balanced development in the town.
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