5th meeting of the Kishtwar Development Authority

Rs 6 lack revenue generated by TRC Kishtwar Verinag chairlift project on anvil

5 Dariya News (Anubhav Suri)

Srinagar 07-Oct-2013

The Minister for Tourism and Culture Ghulam Ahmad Mir today directed the officers to identify the land for development under various schemes being implemented by the Kishtwar Development Authority (KDA) and take local representatives into confidence while taking any decisions for the purpose.The 5th meeting of the Kishtwar Development Authority convened to review of financial and physical achievements of the Authority here today.Discussing the matter of shifting of TRC Tund to Kishtwar, the Minister issued instructions to the concerned that a piece of land measuring 5 kanals be identified for construction of a Tourist Hut at Tund out of the funds already placed at the disposal of KDA.The meeting was informed that the Kishtwar Development Authority (KDA) was created in Sept.2005 with the main objective to make holistic and integrated development by creating infrastructure in order to tap vast tourist potential of the area in view of lush green meadows, high snow peak mountains and above all taking full advantage of connectivity with district Anantnag of Kashmir valley through Synthen top/valley which can develop into a viable tourist circuit resulting boost of economic activity under Public Private Partnership mode in this far-flung and hilly area.

He also directed that the areas in Wadwan, Marwah and Dachan be given priority while creating tourism infrastructure which will not only pave way for boosting the tourism potential of the area but will provide employment opportunities to the youth.The meeting was informed that 6 projects were sanctioned for construction by the KDA under PIDDC since2006 out of which two projects namely Destination and Development phase-I and Phase –II stands completed while as work on other projects is in progress.The meeting was informed that the building for TRC Kishtwar at a cost of Rs 1.85 crore and Tourist amenities at Bimalnag at a cost of Rs 55.25 lac have been completed. It was also given out in the meeting that the Restaurant at TRC along with assets at Mughal Maidan, Dadpeth, Saddorn Safari, Pochall and water sports centre at Dool stands outsourced for three years.

It was informed in the meeting that the revenue generated on account of TRC till date is Rs 6.00 lacs while as an additional amount of Rs 3.40 lac have been received on account of 40% of contract amount from Restaurant at TRC Saffron Safari Pochhal, Water sports centre Dool and way site amenities Mughal Maidan.The meeting was attended by Legislators which include Mr. G M Saroori and Mr Sajad Ahmed Kichloo, besides Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Mr AtalDullo, Director Tourism, Jammu, Mr Soujanya Sharma, CEO, KDA and other senior officers of Tourism department also attended the meeting.