Minister of State for Education, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Ms. Priya Sethi today visited State’s prominent tourist spot Gulmarg and took stock of the infrastructural and other facilities for the tourists.During her visit the Minister met various delegations including locals, visitors, hoteliers and others and said that the government will take all necessary steps to develop this Valley’s important tourist spot as one of world’s best tourist destinations.She instructed the concerned authorities to establish a trauma centre for addressing medical needs of the visiting tourists. The world famous Ski resort should have a full fledged medical trauma centre so as to cater to emergency needs, she added.She said government will upgrade infrastructure and other facilities to attract high end tourists to Gulmarg and to make their prolonged stay here.The Minister also held a review meeting with MLA Gulmarg Abaas wani MD JK Cable Car Corporation Nazir Mir, Asst. Director tourism Dr.Alyas and other officers and obtained the feedback about the activities of this important tourist destination. She issued instructions to the concerned to install message boards at various locations conveying important information to the tourists regarding their turn for Gondola ride and availability of essential services.She also directed for developing fabricated shelters for the visitors at Gandola sites (Phase-I and Phase-II) to make their use during the rain and bad weather. She also directed for creating more recreational and public utility facilities for the tourists at these sites.
She called for setting up of Wi-Fi facilities and customer care numbers for the visiting tourists, adding that pony rate lists should be placed at different locations in the resort. She stressed on ensuring cleanliness and hygiene and directed for proper waste disposal.The Minister inspected the Control Room and Customer Care facilities set up for the convenience of tourists and directed for making the service more vibrant.She also directed for making off-road operational from Tangmarg to Gulmarg and further to Khilanmarg for ATV cars, Pony and walkers.She instructed for organising Annual Golf Tournament at the famous resort and impressed upon the private hoteliers and tour operators to integrate golf along with Gondola ride in the itinerary of tour packages.Later, Priya Sethi visited several government schools in Tangmarg and inspected infrastructure and academic facilities available to the students in the schools.She visited MS Ferozpora Tangmarg, MS Mayan, GHS Chandilora, Girls Middle School Kunzer and Higher Secondary School Kunzer.During the visit the Minister was accompanied by MLA Gulmarg, CEO Barmulla Mushtaq Ahmed , ZEO and other officials.On the recommendation of the MLA Gulmarg, Priya directed the concerned officers to work out a plan for clubbing schools so that the students get better teaching facilities and improved infrastructure is made available to all the students.
Interacting with the people the Minister said that all the government schools would be equipped with infrastructure like computer labs and Smart Classes to enable the students of these schools get academic facilities at par with some of the best private educational institutions in Kashmir.The Minister during her interaction with the students said that children are the future of a nation as the State Government is committed to provide quality education to them.Appreciating the role of teachers, the Minister said teachers shapes the future of students and thus have great responsibility in nation building.“Our government is working to uplift the education standard and modern education infrastructure in form of smart classrooms, fully equipped computer labs, special facilities for children with special needs and other such facilities are being provided in the government schools,” she added.