Connectivity improves, focus on facilities at tourist spots
*Investments to be visible on ground shortly
Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Jan 13: With arrival of tourists touching record highs during last two years in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory Government has taken a series of steps to promote tourism in Jammu region as well including pilgrim tourism and, for the purpose, international funding is also expected in three-four areas.
This year’s pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji broke record of last 10 years and the Government has been developing Shiv Khori shrine, located in Ransu area of Reasi district, through a firm which developed Kedarnath shrine hired for the purpose. Helicopter service to Shiv Khori shrine from Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, is also on the cards.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has been personally monitoring all Government measures aimed at promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“During 2022, 1.82 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir while the figure in 2023 crossed two crore. This year has also begin on good note with large number of tourists including pilgrims thronging Kashmir as well as holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji,” the sources said, adding 97 lakh pilgrims visited Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine last year, the figure being highest in past one decade.
Admitting that many potential tourist spots in Jammu region remained unexplored earlier, the officials said previously the tourism promotion was confined to setting up of Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) but now the Government is focusing on private investments too as the administration was of the view that this will boost tourism in real sense.
“Road connectivity was a big issue for reaching tourist spots as people had to travel on bumpy roads for a long. This aspect has now been taken care of. Road connectivity has improved to some places while in other areas efforts are on in this direction,” the officials said.
They added that there are certain spots in the Jammu region where not even tea is available when the tourists reach there. Now, these places are being developed with the facilities so that they can attract tourists in large numbers.
Sources said the Government of India has also been extending full cooperation to the Union Territory administration in developing tourist spots in Jammu and international funding for few spots is also expected which will be a big achievement of the dispensation and will go a long way in promotion of tourism in the region.
The Government has given directions for promotion of tourism in time-bound manner in the Jammu region.
“While 95 lakh yatris visited Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine last year, 5000-6000 people are daily reaching Tirupati Bala Ji temple at Sidhra on outskirts of the City here and the numbers go up during weekends. A team which developed Kedarnath Ji temple shrine will develop Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district,” the sources said.
The Government has also proposed helicopter service from Katra to Shiv Khori shrine for which tenders are likely to be floated soon.
On investments, the sources said they will soon be visible on ground including medical sector. Foundation stone of a big group of private hospital is likely to be laid shortly, they disclosed.
Asserting that shortage of doctors is a nation-wide phenomenon, the sources said this year one lakh MBBS seats have been filled. In Jammu and Kashmir also, the number of MBBS and PG seats has gone up.
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