Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 7: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called for developing Suchetgarh border point on the pattern of Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab to attract tourists and directed the authorities to complete all tourism related projects in time bound manner.
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During her tour to Suchetgarh, located along International Border with Pakistan, Mehbooba took up the matter for Wagah like ceremonial parade at Suchetgarh point with IG BSF, Jammu Frontiers, Ram Awatar and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr Mandeep K Bhandari for exploring the possibilities.
She was of the view that until Pakistan agrees for simultaneous parade on both sides of the border at Suchetgarh, on the pattern of Wagah, the BSF can start such a parade on its own side as it would attract more tourists in the area.
Sources told the Excelsior that the BSF assured the Chief Minister that they would take up the issue with their Headquarters and explore the possibility of holding Wagah like parade at Suchetgarh. Thousands of people daily turn up at Wagah to witness the BSF and Rangers parade in the evening.
“As relations with Pakistan are strained presently in view of massive ceasefire violations along Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts, the possibility of the two countries agreeing to hold simultaneous parades on their sides at Suchetgarh, like Wagah, is remote. Therefore, the Chief Minister suggested that till Pakistan falls in line, the BSF should go for its own parade in the evening, which would also help in developing Suchetgarh as the border tourism point,” sources said.
They added that since holding parade along the International Border falls under exclusive domain of the BSF, the border guarding force will have to take up the matter with their New Delhi Headquarters, which could further seek the permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs in view of sensitivity of Indo-Pak border and strained relations between the two countries.
On the Chief Minister’s direction for expediting work on RS Pura-Suchetgarh road to facilitate smooth movement of border tourists, sources said Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari would hold high-level review meeting in next couple of days.
“The PWD could take over the road from BRO and develop it under Central Road Fund (CRF) project,” sources said.
After taking over as the Chief Minister, Mehbooba had earlier also visited Suchetgarh and called for opening of Suchetgarh-Sialkot route for the people of two countries. Her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the Chief Minister had also visited the border point and favour opening of the route for the people.
An official handout said: Mehbooba, during her visit to Suchetgarh Zero Point, reviewed component wise the execution of the Rs 4.92 crore project to give border tourism in the area a boost. She was informed that a multipurpose hall with souvenir shops and cafeteria is being constructed at a cost of Rs 90 lacs and is scheduled to be completed by early next year.
Also, the Chief Minister was informed that the pre independence Railway platform is being restored and developed in Frontier Express theme and museum form. The project is expected to cost Rs 1.50 crore and shall be completed by early 2019. This feature is expected to add heritage and historic value to the place and enhance tourist footfall by a great measure.
Among other facilities being added at the place include a tourist parking lot costing Rs 60 lakhs, rain water harvesting project, landscaping and plantation project costing Rs 1.35 crore to be completed by early 2019.
Mehbooba directed the Tourism Department and other related agencies to complete the works within schedule so that with these facilities more tourists are persuaded to visit the place.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu informed the Chief Minister that road network from R S Pura to Suchetgarh is being further improved by BRO at a cost of Rs. 20 crore which would minimize the time of travel to the place and also make the road much more comfortable.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Choudhary; Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi; Vice Chairman, SC Board, Bhushan Dogra; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, M K Bhandari; Secretary, Tourism, M H Malik; IGP Jammu zone, SDS Jamwal; Director, Tourism, Jammu, Smita Sethi; officers of Tourism Department and divisional administration accompanied the Chief Minister during her tour.
Enroute, people in large numbers greeted the Chief Minister and brought their day to day issues into her notice. She issued on spot directions for the redressal of the same.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the historic Raghunath Bazaar here to inspect the pace of conservation and beautification works. She was received warmly by the members of trade associations and shopkeepers who thanked her for restoring the glory of this historic market.
So far, Rs 5. 19 crore have been incurred on developing and restoring various heritage facets on the two sides of the market.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the historic Raghunath temple and went round its various sections.
Chairman of the Managing Committee of the temple and former Chief Secretary, B R Kundal briefed the Chief Minister about the history of the temple complex.
Mehbooba directed preservation and conservation of heritage spots and ancient monuments in Jammu city and adjoining areas.
Interacting with the members of a deputation of Jammu Heritage Society who called on her here today, she directed the Tourism Department to pace up conservation works at the Mubarak Mandi complex. She also directed proper landscaping of the green areas in the complex and taking steps for preparing a souvenir on the said monument. She called for completion of conservation works at the earliest so that a portion of the heritage complex is thrown open for visitors and tourists at the earliest.
Mehbooba directed pacing up of work on the Jammu cable car project and installation of musical fountain at the Bagh-e-Bahu. She directed sticking to already laid out completion timeline for the project.
The deputation comprised Baldev Khullar (President); Om Prakash (Chairman), Bhubneshwar Gandotra (Gen Secretary) and other members of the Society.
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