Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 1: In its endeavor to give new dimensions to tourism industry in the State, Government is committed to complete several tourism related projects in a time bound manner.
The Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Department of Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks Priya Sethi said this during her visit to Peer Kho to inspect the progress of work on ambitious cable car project spanning from Peer Kho to Mahamaya Temple to Bahu Fort.
Director Tourism Jammu, Smita Sethi, Managing Director JKCCC, Shamim Ahmad Wani, Joint Commissioner JMC, Khushal Chand, Xen Tourism besides officials of JKCCC and other allied agencies were present on the occasion.
Priya Sethi took stock of works at Peer Kho sites and enquired about completion timelines for various stages of the project.
The Minister was informed that the project would be completed by early 2018 and is expected to cost Rs. 72 crore.
The Minister asked the engineers and officers to expedite the work so that the project is thrown open to public within the promised timeframe.
Priya Sethi said that completion of this project will give a major boost to the State tourism economy by creating varied avenues for the people associated with the tourism industry.
She further said that Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is personally monitoring the progress on these special tourism projects for Jammu and efforts are being made to develop Jammu as a prime tourism destination in the State.
Elaborating on other tourism initiatives in pipeline, the Minister said that along with diverting the tourist traffic towards ancient Shiv Caves at Peek Kho, Rs 5 crore project is also underway to connect the five temples adjoining Peer-Kho by a common pathway so that tourists can fully experience and appreciate the rich religious tourism avenues in the region.
Later, Priya Sethi also inspected the progress on construction work of Suchetgarh Border Tourism Project to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.92 crore.
She was informed about development on various components of the project including construction of multipurpose hall with souvenir shops and cafeteria, restoration of pre independence railway platform in frontier express theme cum museum and gallantry gallary, tourist vehicle parking lot, internal pathways and landscaping and plantation with solar irrigation systems, rain water harvesting and filtration provisions, overhead water reservoir, solid waste management and eco awareness information signage.
While giving instructions for ensuring quality work, Priya Sethi asked the officers and executing agencies to complete the project within the time schedule and avoid the overrun of cost and time.
She also took stock of ongoing construction work of development of tourism facilities at Bhagwati Nagar Jammu to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 15 crore.
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