*Amusement Park at Golf Course, Water Foundation at Bagh-e-Bahu
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 31: In a major step towards development of theme-based tourist circuits, the Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 27.23 crore worth four projects—three for Jammu and one for Katra town under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Even 20% funds have been released to the State to pave the way for immediate start of work on these four projects, which will go a long way in promoting tourism activities in otherwise neglected Jammu.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Union Tourism Ministry from 2014-15 financial year with the sole objective of creating tourist circuits around specific themes. Like other States of the country, even Jammu and Kashmir prepared several projects and furnished the same to the Union Ministry for sanction.
Few days back, the Union Tourism Ministry accorded sanction to four projects of Jammu worth Rs 27.23 crore and conveyed the same to the State Government. In the communication, it has also been mentioned that directions have also been issued for immediate release of 20% funds to the State Government for immediate start of work after following all the formalities, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
Of Rs 27.23 crore, an amount of Rs 4.92 crore will be spent on development of Suchetgarh border so that it becomes one of the major attractions for the tourists. The major component of Rs 4.92 crore project for Suchetgarh border is restoration of pre-independence railway platform and construction of theme based museum and gallantry gallery. Moreover, a multi-purpose hall will also be constructed at this border point for the convenience of the tourists.
An amount of Rs 8 crore has been earmarked for amusement park at Sidhra Golf Course, which will become yet another major attraction for the tourists visiting the winter capital of the State, sources further informed, adding at present Sidhra Golf Course is source of attraction for tourists having high spending capacity.
They disclosed that an amount of Rs 10.82 crore will be utilized for establishment of musical water foundation with sound and light show at Bagh-e-Bahu, which was the long pending demand of the people of Jammu as at present there is nothing eye-catching at this spot to attract tourists again and again.
About the fourth project, sources said that an amount of Rs 3.49 crore will be utilized for beautification of Katra town, installation of solar lights and illumination besides promotion of handicrafts by initiating different steps.
When asked, sources said that Union Ministry has asked the State Government to immediately complete all the formalities for start of work by utilizing 20% funds. “The remaining funds would be released by the Centre only after the State submits the utilization certificates of 20% funds”, they added.
When contacted, Director Tourism Jammu, Sushma Chauhan confirmed that Union Tourism Ministry has sanctioned Rs 27.23 crore worth four projects for Jammu. “Within next few days we are going to float Notice Inviting Tenders so that there is no delay in start of work”, she added.
“These projects have been sanctioned under the Phase-I of Swadesh Darshan and we have already set in motion the process to identify the projects for Phase-II of the scheme”, she informed, adding “the four projects sanctioned under Phase-I will give necessary fillip to the tourism promotion in Jammu”.
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