Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) has alleged that Jammu tourist resorts have been totally neglected and previous Governments did not pay much attention towards them.
In a statement issued here to the press, president of the Association, Inderjeet Khajuria blamed the previous Governments for total neglect of the tourism projects of Jammu district which once commissioned would have changed the entire socio-economic status including micro climate of Jammu and dream of Jammu tourism traders including hoteliers for making Jammu an independent tourist destination. Despite a known fact that the train link to Katra was a shocker to whole of the tourism related traders fraternity of Jammu which shattered their economy endangering the future livelihood of more than 5 lakh souls dependent on tourism, Government did nothing to create avenues for tourist attraction.
He pointed out that large claims and assurances to the tourism traders by the tallest politicians, the Prime Minister and the state Chief Minister at the inaugural ceremony at Katra Railway Station that Jammu will not be allowed to become Pathankot turned hoax and proved futile with no relief resulting in the continued financial sufferings and the mental agony of the traders fraternity.
Expressing dismay over the previous governments’ poor performance Khajuria stated that not even a single tourism project in and around Jammu was commissioned and thrown open for the public. Referring to the ongoing Jammu Tourism projects Khajuria stated that Artificial Lake Project on Tawi river which was started during 2010 was to be commissioned during 2013 jumped date after date for completion, is nearly complete except for some mechanical works, construction of diversion channels for keeping away filth and municipal waste.
The commitment to perform evening `Aarti’ at Tawi lake Ghat on the pattern of Ganga Aarti at Haridwar has not been fulfilled. It would attract hundreds pilgrim tourists. Hari Singh Park if renovated and developed on modern lines will add to the glory of the city of temples. Likewise, Jammu Cable Car Project for which though foundation stone was laid but work could not be taken up. It was supposed to be completed within 30 months.
Referring to the modernisation of General Bus Stand with parking, shopping complex, Khajuria said though foundation stone was laid twice by the two Chief Ministers but no progress was seen ahead. Upgradation of Deer Park Manda Sanctuary to the level of National Park with a zoo of international fame’, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and the development of Suchetgarh border on the pattern of Wagah border at Amritsar are other projects which await completion and commissioning. Untill and unless the Jammu tourism projects are completed and commissioned, Jammu cannot become an independent tourist destination, he added.
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