Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today said that Centre has agreed to sanction 3 Tourism Mega Projects (TMP) of Rs. 50 crore each to the state during current financial year.
He said these three mega projects have been identified as Sofi Circuit for Kashmir, Spiritual Circuit for Jammu and Buddhist Circuit for Leh, and DPRs of two projects have already been formulated and finalized and the DPR of third project is in final stage.
This was stated by the Minister in a media interaction at Mansar, where he inaugurated Baisakhi festival, organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy.
The festival was attended by a large number of tourists and locals. The reputed cultural artists of the State presented variety of cultural programmes depicting rich cultural heritage and varied beauty of all the regions in the state. These cultural programmes mesmerized the audience and received applause from everyone present on the occasion.
The Minister said that main objective of organizing such festivals is to provide entertainment to the visiting tourists besides publicizing new destinations.
The Minister said that Centre has approved funding of Rs. 5 crore for conservation and development of Surinsar lake, adding that approval for another project of Rs. 5 crore for development and conservation of Mansar Lake is expected. He said after completing all codal formalities, the necessary conservation work besides infrastructure upgradation would be taken up at these lake sites.
Mr. Jora said that pilgrim tourism potential of Jammu is being explored fully by developing pilgrim sites and creation of infrastructure. He said after development of Shiv Khouri holy temple, focused attention would be given to develop other holy shrines and temples like Sudh Mahadev, Chichi Mata and Chandi Mata etc.
The Minister said that sanction of one more project for conservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jammu estimated at a cost of Rs. 25 crore is expected from the Centre, adding that there were certain observations on DPR made by the Union Ministry of Tourism which have been cleared.
Follow our WhatsApp channel