Stressing on developing Peer Kho temple on modern lines, Minister of State for Education, Culture and Information Priya Sethi said the ancient cave shrine is one of the famous religious destinations of the area and all efforts would be made to develop into a major pilgrim tourist destination of the state. She said the tourism department has launched project for development of the temple and as per the requirement additional works would also be initiated.“The government is steadfast on its resolve to promote independent tourist destinations in Jammu region and necessary infrastructure projects would be launched to tap tourism potential of these sites,” she added.She said necessary directions have been given to the authorities to ensure that prestigious cable car project gets completed within the time schedule.
The Minister said this while inspecting development works launched in the Peer Kho temple complex and the adjoining park, here.MLA, Jammu East Rajesh Gupta and Senior Leader Yudhvir Sethi were also present during the visit.Director, Tourism, Jammu R.K. Verma, senior officers and engineers of JMC, PDD, PHE and other line departments accompanied during the tour.While reviewing the ongoing development works in the Peer Kho park, Priya directed the tourism authorities to take up pending works in the park on priority and showed concern on slow pace of works. She directed to take up construction of Retaining wall and stairs, adding that DPR for stairs up to the Mandir should be prepared and the project be submitted for funding .She also passed instructions to repair the high mast lights and called for installation of two additional high mast lights. Directions were also given to complete pending works of the fountain in the park besides completion of bath room in the complex.
She directed the tourism department to start Laser show in the temple complex and issued directions to the PWD department for black topping of the road.Taking cognizance of the water problem, the Minister said the park has to be developed into a tourist spot and for the purpose a separate tube well should be installed. She directed the authorities to prepare DPR for tube well and submit the same at the earliest.“We want that the park should have all required facilities and the funds for tube well would be provided from the CDF,” she added.Speaking on the occasion, Yudhvir said the coalition government is working on the agenda of development and within a short span of ten months major development initiatives have been taken up in the Jammu region. He said long pending projects of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Cable Car Project, Multi level parking complexes, Artificial lake, IIT, IIM and other such projects have been put on fast track.He said the Peer Kho temple attracts scores of tourists and is an important tourist destination of the area and efforts should be made to develop the area into tourist spot.Later, the Minister also interacted with the Mahant of the temple and the people of the area. She listened to the problems being faced by the management committee of the complex and assured early resolution of the genuine demands.