Setting the records straight regarding Jammu Ropeway project, Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi today informed that the project is named as Bahu-Mubarak Mandi Ropeway project with Peer Kho as a takeoff point, Mahamaya as the intermediary and Bahu Fort as the landing terminal.For Jammu Ropeway project cent percent funds have been utilized from Cable Car Corporation’s own resources,” the Minister told media-persons here today. She also informed that no price escalation has been experienced in this project.A self sustained tourism model has been envisioned and is being implemented in all three regions of the state for inclusive socio-economic development besides ensuring emergence of each region as exclusive independent tourist destination,” the Minister said.Priya Sethi, while elucidating numerous projects envisaging a total transformation in state’s tourism profile, said that Jammu and Kashmir is receiving special focus in terms of financial and other incentives for development as a self sustained tourism hub. The state is witnessing a discernible change in every sphere of growth and development with a visible improvement and added professionalism in the working system.The prime emphasis of present dispensation is on creating durable assets in all the potential tourist spots of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh so that a good tourist influx is magnetized towards the state.
“This will further give a fillip to state’s economy besides generating employment avenues for the skilled and unskilled manpower”, she asserted.The Minister, while spelling out the various projects underway for tourism sector, said that the state has received ample funds amounting Rs 2000 crore (projects for Rs 400 crore each for five years) for new projects and additional Rs 100 crore for construction of government assets in lieu of damaged, destroyed assets under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).The projects sanctioned under PMDP for J&K include integrated development of tourist facilities on Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop circuit, Anantnag-Pahalgam-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam circuit, Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama circuit, Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh circuit besides various projects under Himalayan circuit for SWADESH darshan including development of amusement park at Sidhra Golf course, border tourism at Suchetgarh, world class tourism amenities at Katra, musical water fountain, light and laser show at Bagh-e-Bahu, multiple amenities at Mansar, Surinsar and TRC at Akhnoor, Nowshera, Rajouri and Poonch, she informed. Besides, three cable car projects are in pipeline for Jammu region including Jammu Rope way Project at the cost of Rs.60 crore which is due for commissioning by March 2018, Patnitop Gandola project sanctioned at Rs. 130 crore in PPP mode and Shiv Khori rope way project at the cost of Rs 80 crore for which tendering process has already been initiated, she added.