Hailing the people of Jammu for upholding the tenets of harmony, inclusive sense, amity and brotherhood, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said her Government has envisioned Jammu as an independent tourist destination for which many projects are in pipeline.Speaking at a function to lay the foundation of 1000 MWs Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Power project and 52 kilometre Jammu Semi Ring Road project here today, the Chief Minister said in present day world Jammu represents a truly pluralist social system which has evolved as an example for all societies. She appealed the people of Jammu to uphold these tenets of tolerance and values for which the State has been known since ages. She said when many people left Kashmir Valley, the people of Jammu not only opened their homes and hearths for them but also shared their resources, supplies and other facilities.Mehbooba Mufti said her Government is keen to develop Jammu as an independent tourist destination for which many projects are in pipeline. She said Government is making efforts to retain the tourist footfall in Jammu which seems to have slipped ever since the direct rail connectivity to Katra.
Many of such projects, she said, are being inaugurated this year alone and work on many more is apace.Governor, N. N. Vohra; Union Minister for Roads & Highways, Nitin Gadkari; Deputy Chief Minister, Kanvinder Gupta; Union Minister of State for Power, R K Singh; Minister of State in PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh; Minister for Public Works & Culture, Naeem Akhtar; Minister for Power, Sunil Sharma, other Ministers; Member Parliament, Jugal Kishore; legislators; Chief Secretary, B B Vyas; Director General of Police, Dr. S P Vaid; officers from NHPC, NHAI and State Government were present on the occasion.During the function, Prime Minister laid the foundation of 1000 MWs Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project. To be built in Kishtwar district, the project is expected to cost Rs. 8112 crore. He also laid the foundation of 58 kilometre Jammu Semi Ring Road project to be built at a cost of Rs. 2300 crore.The Prime Minister also threw open 7 kilometre long Tarakote Marg at Katra built by Shri Mata Vaishno Shrine Board.