Minister for Urban Development Department Nawang Rigzin Jora and Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Housing Raman Bhalla today unveiled Comrade Dhanwantri statue at Jammu Development (JDA) Park, here at Trikuta Nagar.Vice Chairman JDA, Mr. Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, Commissioner JMC Mr. Kiran Wattal, Superintending Engineer JDA Mr. P L Bhushan besides other senior officers from JDA, JMC, Tourism and Flouriculture accompanied the Ministers.Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jora said the Government was making concerted efforts to develop open spaces to add to the beauty of urban centers . He asked JDA to install steel type dustbins in the garden for public use. He called upon the people not to put waste inside the park adding that Government was committed to provide good environ to the visitors. Jora said Government has taked up several projects to develop Jammu city area, which is one of the fast emerging pilgrim and tourist destinations. He said Rs. 110 crore artificial lake in river Tawi is under progress and would be completed within stipulated time frame. He said he as a Tourism Minister, recommended a detailed project report to Central Government for construction of cable car project from Mahamaya to Bahu Fort and Bahu Fort to Peer Kho temple. He further informed that central Government has okayed the project and it would be started shortly.Paying rich tributes to Comrade Dhanwantri, the Minister for Urban Development Department, recalled the exemplary sacrifices made by the freedom struggle hero while fighting alongwith Shaheed-e-Aazm Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Shiv Verma and others against British Imperialism.Addressing the gathering,
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla also paid rich tributes to comrade Dhanwantri and said the great leader sacrificed his life for freedom of India from the yolk of British Imperialism. He said Dhanwantri was also jailed for ten years in Kala Pani (Port Blair).“After his return in early forties, Dhanwantri came to Jammu and founded and guided movements of farmers, youth, students, writers” Bhalla said and added that he also guided the National Conference in making its Naya Kashmir Programme.“He guided the state leadership in big landed estates abolition and other revolutionary pro-people measures. He was also the fountain head of guidance for political activists during the crucial period after 1947”Bahlla recalled.Responding to the local demands,
Mr Bhalla who is also MLA of Gandhi Nagar, said that Government has submitted a Project proposal involving Rs. 5 crore to central Government for installation of laser show on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi at Bahu Fort, adding that the project is under the consideration of the Union Tourism Ministry.
For facilitating the pilgrims of Mahakali Mata, the Minister said Government has approved Rs. 69.50 lakh for construction of Jorah Ghar, langer space, installation of LED lights and modernisation of ancient fountain in Maha Kali Temple in Bahu Fort besides restoration of pristine glory of Bahu Fort. He said works on the projects is under progress on war-footing.Mr. Bhalla said the Government is making all out efforts to provide all modern line wayside facilities to pilgrims and tourists at Bahu Fort area. He asked the Tourism and Culture department to display the history of Rani Mahal and other Dogra rulers at the prominent places at Maha Kali temple for the knowledge of visitors. He asked for establishment of Photo Gallery for those army jawans who sacrificed their lives for nation.
He asked the Revenue officers to remove illegal encroachments within the Maha Kali temple. He said that focused attention is being paid for developing all the open spaces as recreational parks besides creating other necessary facilities. He said that a number of measures are being taken to develop new tourism spots and conserve century old monuments in city of temples. He said that the State already in the top tourist destination of the world will soon shine for another tourist attraction destinations. He said that the state is already famous for the world's highest cable car service at Gulmarg and steps are afoot to promote it in other hilly areas of the State.Mr. Bhalla said that the proposed cable car project worth Rs 47 crore which is aimed to connect the heritage sites Mahamaya Temple, Bagh-e-Bahu, Bawe Wali Mata Temple, Peerkho temple will attract the Vaishno Devi pilgrims.Earlierm the Minister visited Brahaman Mohalla in Babliana and kick started construction work of deep drain, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 6 lakh. He asked the Urban Environmental Engineering Department to complete the project within stipulated time frame by using quality of material.Responding to the demand of locals, he asked the I&FC to immediately remove the bushes from the edge area of Ranbir canal at Babliana and plant permanent ornamental plants there.