Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 14: For the first time in history of Jammu and Kashmir, record 1.88 crore tourists visited UT in the year 2022 to enjoy the beauty of various famed tourist spots.
The enhanced tourist arrivals in the Union Territory has generated greatest employment in various regions, highlighting its overall development through a constructive approach, transformative initiatives and inevitable reforms to empower J&K for its people, culture and society.
The Government of India is also making a significant thrust to ensure better infrastructural facilities for the region’s people and entice visitors. This has resulted in a fortuitous surge in tourist activities with better law and order, promising security system, and maintenance of peace in addition to infrastructural and connectivity improvements.
J&K administration is also focused on exploring the full potential of pilgrimage tourism by developing various religious tourist circuits across the union territory. Keeping in view the increasing number of devotees coming to visit Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, facilities and infrastructure is being strengthened.
As per the official data, the construction work of Mantalai Wellness Center has been completed at a cost of Rs. 80 crore and the design of Katra Multi Modal Station has been finalized. Similarly, work on Tawi Riverfront is going on in full swing besides Mansar and Surinsar have made their presence on the tourism map of the country. The Government is working tirelessly to open Sanasar Tulip Garden for local people and tourists this year.
Similarly, the work on conservation and renovation of 18 historical-cultural heritage sites in Jammu, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Udhampur will commence shortly. In April this year, Jambu Zoo shall be thrown open to the people. Home-stay Scheme has been launched with a view to foster employment generation and economic prosperity in rural areas.