Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, KK Sharma, today advocated the need of adopting a synergized approach for effective implementation of various schemes meant for developing tourist infrastructure in Jammu Division. The Advisor was speaking at a review meeting convened to discuss and review the status of various development initiatives undertaken under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) and CAPEX Budget. Secretary Tourism, Zubair Ahmed; Director Tourism Jammu, Deepika Sharma; MD JKTDC Asgar Hussain; Director Finance Tourism, Lateef Poswal, Director Planning Parvez Kokru, CEOs of Different Development Authorities, Secretary Sidhra Golf Course, Lal Chand, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

The Advisor, while reviewing the progress registered under the CAPEX sector, called for fast pacing the implementation of schemes so that these are completed in time and the funds earmarked are utilized fully in a transparent manner. He said that the tourism sector is one of the focus areas of government and officers should also work in tandem for catalyzing and promoting the activities in the Jammu division. The meeting was told that an amount of Rs. 1058.63 Lakh has been earmarked under the CAPEX Sector for tourism development in Jammu Division, of which about 25 percent has been expended so far.

While reviewing the progress registered under PMDP, the Advisor told that an amount of Rs. 199 crore has been earmarked for the development of tourism and related infrastructure in the Jammu Division which also encompasses development being undertaken by different development authorities of the region. It was given out that maximum works undertaken under PMDP have been completed which included the major part of the prestigious Patnitop-Mantalai Circuit and other activities of different development authorities.

The Advisor also asked the officers to undertake measures for developing other unexplored areas which are having tremendous scope for tourism and related activities. He said that the officers should also prepare a detailed list of assets of the department and various Corporations so that the necessary intervention, if needed, can be made and these come up as a major revenue-generating unit.

Secretary Tourism, Zubair Ahmed, while speaking on the occasion, asked for expediting the works so that the funds earmarked are utilized fully, he said that the government has already undertaken several projects and steps for ensuring development of tourism with an emphasis on conventional and pilgrimage tourism in the Jammu division.

Director Tourism Jammu, Deepika Sharma, gave a detailed presentation about CAPEX, PMDP, Swadesh Darshan and Prashad Schemes with reference to development projects like the development of Suchetgarh under Border Tourism, tourist amenities at Katra, construction of Musical Water Fountain with Light and Sound Show at Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu.

Besides, convention facilities at Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Sidhra, Jammu; development of tourist facilities at Jhajjar Kotli; development of tourist facilities at Panchari; development of Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi; development of Siarh Baba, Reasi; development of tourist facilities at Bhagwati Nagar and Akhnoor.