Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: Expressing serious concern over the plight of Jammu based tourism related traders, All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) has stated that Jammu tourism has already suffered a great financial setback due to train link extension to Katra with no Government incentives of any sort despite tall claims made by the Prime Minister and Chief Minister that the Jammu will not be allowed to become another Pathankot but the reality on ground is contrary.
Addressing media persons, the president AJHLA, Pawan Gupta said that it was another jolt last year with the killing of dreaded militant Burhan Wani that the entire Kashmir valley was disturbed and remained on turmoil continuously, which resulted in failure of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra as well, whereas, the Jammu tourism remains on ventilator as a consequence. The need of the hour is to take stringent measures to put the tourism on rail and make Jammu as an independent tourism destination.
It is really disappointing that the ongoing Jammu based tourism projects either stalled or running on snail pace, which are required to be accelerated for their early completion. Jammu rope-way project linking Peerkho-Mahamaya-Bagh-e-Bahu, was to be completed within 30 months has crossed the time limit in view of the public resentment on changing the nomenclature to Shahbad as the tenders did not materialize , so far, which is cause of great concern.
In view of the ensuing rainy season the pillars to be constructed in the Tawi river bed need to be attended on top priority and work completed as early as possible. Similarly, artificial lake project on Tawi river which is supposed to be commissioned during 2014 crossed several dates of completion year after year. A dream prestigious project, where Rs 70 crore stand spent is about 90% complete, except for construction of diversion channels for 15 nallah for diverting the municipal waste and filth from lake waters.
Underlining the need for promotion of border tourism , he said that Suchetgarh Border should be developed at par with Wagha border at Amritsar, which will attract the tourist influx as lot of visitors. Mentioning about the development of Manda Wild Life Sanctuary into National Park and a Zoo of international fame, he said that the environment and forest project is coming up very well and will be a point of attraction among tourists, pilgrims and general public.
Appreciating the Chief Minister’s statement over the development of Raghunath Ji temple on the pattern of Golden Temple Amritsar, he said that such initiatives would lead the Jammu towards an independent tourist destination provided the government takes over and shape it to reality. He also the urged the Govt to develop the Shri Raghunath Ji Temple, Bagh-e-Bahu, Shri Bawe Wali Mata Ji and Kol Kandoli as a tourist circuit, besides Shrine Board on the pattern Shri Mata Vashno Devi Ji should be constituted for Peerkho, Parmadal, Utterbeni and other historical temples.
Other office bearers including Anil Khajuria senior vice president, Harbans Sing Manhas general secretary, Pritam Sharma- vice president, Baldev Raj, Sunil Suri, ML Sharma and Manpreet Singh.
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