Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Park, Priya Sethi today took an extensive tour of old Jammu city to review progress on multiple revamping projects for tourism besides development works.The Minister said that as part of government’s large scaled agenda for developing Jammu into a popular independent tourist destination an all encompassing plan has been prepared. “This will help make the city of temples a permanent feature of tourist roadmap for both national and international visitors”, she maintained.“Gradual execution of the plan is being undertaken in stages all across the city to rejuvenate the indomitable spirit of this heritage city and soon the people of Jammu will be able to share their proud culture and heritage with the world and be able to pass it on to our children” Priya added.She further said that the development plans have been drawn in consultation with specialist archeologists, engineers and architects to ensure that our existing architecture is preserved and enhanced by the addition being made to accommodate the expected influx of tourists.The Minister said “Jammu old city has been identified as a heritage city and it is filled with rich elements passed on to us by our ancestors including numerous monuments and beautiful places of worship that can be counted as some marvelous examples of ancient engineering”.
“In order to showcase these to their best advantage while accounting for practicalities like ease of access for locals and tourists, all sacred places of worship in the old city including historical shrines are to be connected and developed into a ‘Spiritual Circuit’ connected by walk able pathways. This mode of development will not only connect all holy shrines into a single thread by also play a major role in reviving the dwindling trade in the old city which has observed reduced foot traffic in old markets.” Priya Sethi added.As part of the city tour, the Minister visited Baba Lal Ji Chowk, Circular Road and spoke to residents of nearby localities and representatives of trade associations who shared their multiple concerns.MLA Jammu East Rajesh Gupta along with senior Vice President BJP Yudhvir Sethi and District President Baldev Singh Baloria accompanied the Minister during the visit.To resolve the problem to continuous congestion in the road due to lack of proper parking facilities for these highly populated localities, Priya Sethi directed the JMC Commissioner Manmohan Singh to expedite the planning process for the three tiered parking lot and execute the plan at the earliest. She also asked him to research and come up with a possible plan of action for widening of the Circular Road and all other connecting roads to old markets like Jain Bazaar etc. She further directed him to ensure that plans are drawn up in consideration of the future growth potential of the city and keep enough provision to accommodate the present and foreseeable future needs of the ever growing city.
The Minister also directed the ADC Jammu Arun Manhas to explore possible avenues for public vehicular movement along the Circular Road. She said that this will be beneficial in traffic regulation in the inner city and at the same time provide connectivity to the residents, traders and easy access for the customers.Priya Sethi also visited various parks in the city during her tour wherein she stressed on focused attention towards development of parks as a relaxation, recreation and tourist attraction spot. She emphasized ensuring amenities like drinking water, toilet complex, high mast LED lights, cleanliness and sanitation, pathways, proper sitting arrangements along with making the parks child friendly.The Minister said that these parks located in various central areas throughout the city especially those near or adjoining major tourist locations are to be systematically developed and brought into limelight. She directed the concerned officers to set up ornamental lightings in the park, construct and repair water bodies, fountains and take all other necessary measures to bring attention to these parks and direct tourist traffic to these areas.Laying focus on the importance of people participation in a successful democratic structure, she urged the people to be part of the PM’s ‘People Governance’ initiative and monitor the public works being undertaken in their areas.At present the beautification projects are underway for park adjoining Dewana Mandir, Kachi Chawni, Municipal Park Kaleeth Nagar, Hari Market and Lala Hans Raj Park.Priya Sethi also directed the tourism department to develop historic Raghunath Mandir Gate into a heritage gate.Among others, Joint Director Tourism, Vishesh Pal Mahajan, Joint Director Works, Kushal Singh Chand, representatives of New Hari Market Association, Hari Market Association, Lower Raghunath Bazar Association, Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaaj, Jain Bazar Association, Swarnkar Sangh Association and Saraf Association were present on the occasion.