Working towards actualizing the commitment of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination and plans to bring the region's Dogra heritage into focus the department of Tourism is implementing envisaged projects under the sector and ensure their timely completion.The department has informed that the ambitious Raghunath Bazaar Beautification project and the Golf Course expected to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister during this month will be a major tourist attraction in Jammu.As per the spokesperson of Tourism department the government has started number of tourist projects like Rope way, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, beautification of Raghunath Market, Sidhra Golf course, Border Tourism, Rural Tourism and many other ambitions tourism projects which will remove the apprehensions of the stakeholders regarding low turn tourists in Jammu and decline in trade activities after direct rail link to Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra.
Director Tourism informed that the work on 18 hole Sidhra Golf course has been completed and besides other logistic facilities there is a provision of a club for the members. The work on Sidhra Golf Course began in the year 2007, spread over 1385 kanal of land the approximate cost of the project was 37.39 crores but enhanced to Rs. 6070 crore, Rs. 40.08 crore were spent till this time and Rs. 14.5 crore is likely to be spent in the year 2015-16 for the completion of this Golf course.“Situated on the bank of river Tawi this Golf Course will definitely attracts the people and will lure the tourist in the state”, R.K Verma director Tourism said.Mr Verma also informed that Raghunath Bazar beautification project envisages to give the market a new look and showcase it as a local heritage. He said that works are on installation of modular electric poles, traditional water points, upgradation of pavements and other modifications. He said that looking at the results it has been proposed to extend this beautification project to Kanak mandi and Vinayak bazar which would be developed as a heritage circuit.