Ranjit Sagar Dam to be developed as gateway to JK's tourism:CM

Jammu: Asserting that Ranjit Sagar Dam has tremendous potential to come up as a major tourist attraction, Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed today said the area will be developed as the "gateway" of Jammu and Kashmir's "leisure tourism".

"Ranjit Sagar Dam has tremendous potential to come up as a leisure-cum-adventure and water-sports hub that will become a major tourist attraction for people from all over the country, especially the neighbouring states", Mufti said.

While undertaking a visit to Kathua district to oversee the progress of the development works of the dam, the Chief Minister said "the area will be developed as the Gateway of J&K's Leisure Tourism".

He also called for dovetailing the famous Basohli Paintings and Arts with its tourism potential so that footfall of heritage lovers gains visibility in the scenic spot.

Meanwhile, Health Minister and local MLA Lal Singh, who was accompanying Chief Minister, said the government is committed to promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination.

"The government will highlight several locations in Jammu with tourism potential so that the number of tourists is increased this season," Singh said.

Later, Mufti Sayeed viewed a concept presentation on 'Tourist Hub' in Basohli. On developing Basohli, as major tourist attraction, he called upon the Tourism Department and the concept designers to immediately frame a strategy that brings to fore its huge potential.

The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, to come up with a proposal for up-gradation of Government Higher Secondary School, Basohli, as a model school.

On his arrival at Kathua, President of Chenab Textile Mills, K C Sharma, made a presentation about their future expansion plans and sought the support of the administration for acquisition of additional chunk of land.

The Chief Minister desired that the expansion programme should lay special emphasis on employment generation, mainly of the local youth.

While expressing his gratitude to the Central Government for sanctioning 1210-metre pre-stressed Double-Lane Keerian-Gandial Bridge over river Ravi in Kathua district at a cost of Rs 158 crore, Mufti Sayeed said it will provide succour to the people of two hamlets of Keerian and Gandial, who have to travel 45 km to reach the district headquarters.

The CM also directed the Public Works Department to immediately start the work on the Bridge so that it is completed within the stipulated timeline of three years.

The state government had taken up with the Union Road Transport Ministry the construction of the Bridge, which has now been sanctioned under Inter-State Connectivity scheme of CRF (Central Road Fund).