Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi today visited Mansar and Suriansar and inspected the various tourist facilities available there.Director Tourism Jammu, General Manager JKTDC, CEO Mansar-Suriansar Development Authority and other concerned officers accompanied the Minister.She took first hand appraisal of tourism related infrastructure and other facilities being provided to the tourists and reviewed the potential plans for development of these areas as major tourist destinations. The Minister passed instructions to the concerned officers to develop special packages for students and day picnickers to improve regular influx of local population to these spots.The Minister said that these areas have vast tourist potential and concerted efforts should be put in to tap the same.She instructed the officers to revive tourist activities at these spots including boating, adventure sports, special gaming zones for kids among others.“The government has a systematic development plan for these spots which includes developing a special Turtle park in Mansar, Snake park at Suriansar, making Mansar and Suriansar wifi Zones. These efforts will attract tourists in large number and help tap the vast tourist potential of these areas”,
she added.A proposal is also in offing for setting up guided tours for tourists in these spots, the minister informed.She directed R&B authorities for proper maintenance of the approach roads of these tourist spots so that coming tourists do not face any inconvenience. She further instructed the concerned officers for proper upkeep of the parks and ensure proper illuminations.During the visit, the minister also checked the quality of food being served at the outsourced restaurants. Expressing dissatisfaction over the quality, she asked the concerned to regularly monitor the standards and ensure only best quality, hygienic food is served to the visitors.The Minister also directed the concerned to ensure proper maintenance of tourism huts and providing better services to the guests. She also asked for inviting tenders for outsourcing of JKTDC infrastructure at Suriansar so that better firms can be roped in to extent quality services to tourists.Later, the Minister also inspected the Primary School and Higher Secondary School, Suriansar and reviewed their functioning. She also interacted with the students and took stock of the facilities available to them.The Minister also checked the quality of Mid Day Meal being served to the children.