Tourism Ministry approves Rs 500 crore fund for projects in Jammu & Kashmir

The Ministry of Tourism has approved projects worth Rs 500 crore for Jammu and Kashmir.

The new projects include Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai – Sudhmahadev – Patnitop Circuit for Rs 99.99 crore; Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh circuit for Rs 99.98 crore; Rajouri - Bafliyaz - Shopian - Pulwama Circuit for Rs 99.99 crore; and Anantnag-Kishtwar- Pahalgam – Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam circuit for Rs 99.75 crore.

In addition, Rs 99.99 crore has been approved for the integrated development of tourist facilities in lieu of damaged assets in the floods.

The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) chaired by Union Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi for the ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ has approved projects as part of Development Package of Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) for integrated development of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The projects envisage tourist infrastructural development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlights of the project involve developing a Convention Centre in Gulmarg and Patnitop, the development of ethnic villages, development of water sports centre at Baghliyar Dam - Pool Doda.

Other major intervention proposed in the circuits include last mile connectivity, tourist facilitation/interpretation centre, base camps for trekking, facilitation centre for pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra, Sound and Light Show at Shalimar Bag, illumination of heritage structures, provision of eco-friendly vehicles, enhancement of tourist facilities at golf courses across the state.