Jammu, Mar 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Tourism Department remains committed to strengthening tourism infrastructure and enhancing visitor facilities at major tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, including the Tral constituency.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Tral, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, regarding tourism development in the area.
He informed that the Government is taking steps to improve visitor facilities in Tral and emphasized that tourism development works are prioritized based on the availability of land, financial resources, and environmental considerations, particularly in ecologically fragile mountain regions. Accordingly, such initiatives are being undertaken in a phased manner in line with approved plans and budgetary provisions.
Highlighting specific interventions, the Chief Minister said that two tourist cafeterias at Faiz Panah, Tral, and Bajwani are presently under construction by the Tourism Department to strengthen local tourism infrastructure.
He further stated that the Department of Culture has undertaken several initiatives for the promotion, preservation, and development of heritage and religious tourism sites across Jammu and Kashmir, including those in Tral constituency. These works are being executed in a phased and time-bound manner under the CAPEX Budget, including works under Capex and the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in Jammu and Kashmir.
“These initiatives aim to preserve the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the region while promoting heritage and religious tourism in a planned and sustainable manner,” he added.
Responding to another query, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department is in the process of taking over certain tourism assets from the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation, including four Eco Log Huts and a Tourist Facilitation Centre at Shikargah. He added that these assets will be revived and made operational in a phased manner after their formal takeover.
