 Early Times Report
PATNITOP, June 14: To enhance visibility of Patnitop as a major independent tourist destination and increase visitors' footfall, the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today took wide ranging decisions of infrastructural and recreational importance during the Board meeting of Patnitop Development Authority, chaired by him, here today.
He said Mantalai, Sanasar, Baghliar, Dudu Basantgarh, Batote and Kud will be promoted as one Tourist Circuit with Patnitop as its hub.
Urging upon the concerned departments to collaborate and share best practices, the Chief Minister asked the Tourism Department to develop market strategy for better promotion of Patnitop Circuit.
In order to attract captive segment of Vaishno Devi and Patnitop-bound tourists, Mufti Sayeed approved the basic concept paper on developing tourism around Baghliar Dam, which primarily focuses on water-based leisure activities. Under the project, villages of Dharmund and Baghliar will offer family packages in water-sports activities like floating cruises, viewpoint for waterfalls, camp life, tented and cottage accommodation, which will draw visitors towards a new concept of leisure tourism in Jammu.
Emphasizing upon scientific disposal of waste, Mufti Sayeed directed Deputy Commissioner Udhampur to identify a land for dumping site. On the issue of setting up of STP, the Chief Minister was informed that the work on the project will commence shortly as the land for the purpose has been acquired and tender allotted.
The Chief Minister observed that underground cabling of power lines and enhancing capacity of Shivgarh Water Reservoir are of paramount importance to promote Patnitop as weekend and weekdays' destination. He asked Commissioner / Secretary Tourism to formulate a plan for ensuring uninterrupted power supply at the resort.
In order to sustain footprint of tourists to Patnitop after Chenani-Nashri Tunnel is opened for vehicular traffic, Mufti Sayeed directed the Tourism Department to conceive a plan which envisages setting up of add-on attractions like Multiplex, Amusement Park and a Toy Train. He said after the tunnel becomes operational, Public Works Department will be assigned full-time responsibility of maintaining the Chenani-Patnitop Road as also Kalar-Gorikund Road.
The Chief Minister also issued directions for replacement of traditional streetlights with solar lights to improve the aesthetic ambience of the resort. He was also informed that 14 huts belonging to JKTDC have been upgraded so that better facilities are provided to night-bound tourists at the resort.
Earlier, on his arrival here, Mufti Sayeed launched the official website of PDA. He also released Rs. 20 lakh for developing wayside viewpoints at Dudu Basantgarh for tourists.
Mufti Sayeed also passed directions for upgrading facilities in budgeted accommodations at Kud and Sanasar so that the intake capacity of Patnitop Circuit is enhanced. In a separate meeting with stakeholders, the Chief Minister issued directions for setting up a helipad to operate chopper services for high-end tourists, opening of J&K Bank branch with ATM facility, dedicated pony track and construction of toilet points on user charges basis for the visitors.
While directing the concerned authorities to explore potential for adventure tourism of Sanasar, the Chief Minister desired that the Amusement Park be set up on Sanasar-Patnitop Road "so that both areas are developed as family destinations".
The Chief Minister gave directions for carrying out a survey for laying of ropeway between Patnitop and Mantalai.
At a distance of 32 km from Chenani, Mantalai is ideally suited to attract high-end tourists as an airstrip for fixed-wing planes already exists there.
The Chief Minister fixed a deadline of one month for Director Tourism, Jammu, to prepare a detailed project report so that the work on the 'Theme-based World Class Cultural Centre' could be started at an earliest.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, Minister for Forest & Social Welfare, Bali Baghat, Minister of State for Finance and IT, Pawan Kumar, Legislators, Dina Nath, Ranbir Singh Pathania, Neelam Kumar Langeh and Firdous Tak, Principal Secretary, Planning, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner / Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Shailendra Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister, M. H. Malik, Director Tourism, Jammu, R. K. Verma, Director Tourism, Kashmir & MD JKTDC, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur & Ramban, besides CEO, PDA, attended the meeting. |
