Minister for Education Mr Naeem Akhtar today said the decision of the District Development Board (DDB) regarding construction of tourist huts in Gool-Arnas area will be implemented in letter and spirit.The Minister said this while intervening during the reply of a question raised by MLA Aijaz Ahmed Khan in this regard in the House.Earlier, replying to the main question, Minister of State for Education, Tourism and Culture Priya Sethi informed the house that several tourism projects have been taken up in Gool and Arnas areas on which work is in progress. Listing the tourism infrastructure projects taken up in the area, she said the work on construction of tourist facilitation centre Gool, construction of 3 room suite at Daggan Top and construction of rain shelter sheds/view points from Gool to Arnas is in progress.Responding to the issue of delay in construction of hutments in Gool, the Minister said; “The estimates for upgradation of Forest Huts in Gool have been prepared by District Forest Officer and submitted to Conservator of Forest West Circle Rajouri for sanction and administrative approval, which is under process.”
She also assured the house that development of tourism assets in Gool will be given priority when fresh funding under tourism sector is received. The Minister also informed the house that besides these projects, Ministry of tourism GoI has sanctioned a project "Village Arnas" under Rural Tourism Scheme in the year 2013-14. The work on the project involving a cost of Rs 66.89 lakh is also under progress.She also said that the department has prepared a detailed project report for development of Daggan Top, Gool at a cost of Rs 2.99 crore for execution 3 Huts/ Kiosks/ 5 Souvenir Shops, gender Based Toilets, 4 Rain Shelter Shed, 8 viewpoints, landscaping, pathways walkways, ornamental benches etc. The Project shall be taken up under Prime Minister's Development Package (phase 2nd) subject to its prioritization and approval of Ministry, she informed."The department also proposes to develop tourist infrastructure facilities at Ghoda Gali in Gool under PMDP-II subject to the approval of MOT, GOI," Minister informed further.