Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 6: In a major bid to promote sports tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today announced setting up of three new Golf Courses in Jammu and projection of Ranjit Sagar dam as a major tourist spot under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode to attract tourists from J&K and neighbouring States of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
These major announcements were made by Mufti Sayeed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh during three functions in the City today including inauguration of renovated Abhinav Theatre, Tawi Park and Golf Course at Sidhra.
For promotion of tourist spots in Jammu, Sayeed, who also holds the charge of Tourism Department, announced construction of three new Golf Course in Jammu at Sanasar, Jai (Bhaderwah) and Basohli in Kathua.
“Sports can promote tourism in a big way,” he said while announcing three new Golf Courses in Jammu region.
Poor road connectivity and infrastructure has failed to promote tourism at all these three places though the areas have beautiful scenic beauty. Large grounds were available at all these places for construction of the Golf Courses.
Few days back, the Chief Minister had announced promotion of tourism in big way at Jai, few kilometers from Bhaderwah town of Doda district by generating infrastructure including road connectivity, guest houses, promotion of adventure tourism and other possible facilities.
Mufti called for holding frequent matches between Army and civilians, Jammu and Chandigarh etc at Golf Course, Sidhra to promote it and bring it at national and international maps very shortly. He called upon the officers of Tourism and Sports Departments to coordinate with each other to promote the Golf Course.
The Chief Minister also declared projection of Ranjit Sagar Dam in Kathua district of Jammu region as major tourist destination under Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
“The dam will become a very beautiful tourist spot not only for the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also for neighbouring States like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. With improved road connectivity very soon, it will be a very popular tourist destinations,” he said and called upon officials of the Tourism Department to initiate the process very shortly to generate all possible facilities at the dam.
Mufti also called for teaching `culture’ as a subject right from the school level to promote art and culture activities.
As he called for outsourcing newly constructed park on the banks of river Tawi, he was briefed by the officials that this has already been done and the company will take it over on Tuesday.
Official sources told the Excelsior that near the newly constructed park, spread on about 20 kanals of land provided by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, another major chunk of 90 kanals land will become available after construction of barrage for the artificial lake.
“This land will also be used for construction of another park on the banks of river Tawi,” sources said.
PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, Sukhnandan Kumar Choudhary, who also accompanied the Chief Minister, was of the view that his Department was provided Rs 66 crores to raise level of water from 2.5 meters to 4.5 meters in artificial Tawi lake, the level would become fit for boating.
Sources said the Chief Minister has assured to take up the matter before taking a decision.
Sources added that Sukhnandan Kumar was very upset with the Government for not mentioning the role of Flood Control & Irrigation Department in construction of park as entire land was provided by his Department. He made his resentment known to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.
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