Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi today said that government is making concerted efforts to improve tourism infrastructure in Reasi to tap its pilgrimage and heritage tourism potential.The Minister was interacting with the locals during her visit to various tourist spots of the district.The Minister visited Baradari where she inspected the ongoing rafting project over river Chenab. She also visited Siyard Baba water fall and passed necessary instructions to the tourism department for further development of the site.The Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda also accompanied Priya Sethi during her extensive tour of the district. He briefed her on the innovative steps required to make Reasi one of the major tourist destinations of the state.Later, the Ministers visited Kalika temple and Bhimgarh fort to take review of the ongoing development works over there. For Bhimgarh fort, the tourism Minister said all out efforts would be made to exploit the tourism potential of this historical site.
The Minister said that the tourists from Mata Vaishno Devi and Shivkhori can be diverted to these sites if coordinated efforts are made for their development. She said this will increase the tourist footfall in the region and give a fillip to local economy.Instructions were also passed to the officers for maintaining proper sanitation and cleanliness at these tourist sites and make proper disposal and management of the garbage and other waste material.Deputy Commissioner Reasi Ravinder Kumar, Director Tourism Jammu Samita Sethi, Chief Education Officer B.S. Jaral and other officers of Education and tourism departments also accompanied the Minister.Interacting with local people, she assured them that the tourism potential of the district is getting focused attention of the government. She said proposals have been made to raise modern infrastructure at all major tourist sites of the district.Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner also apprised the Minister on scope and tourist potential of the district.He said the hilly areas of Lapri top, Mahore, Ramakunda, Konsar Nag, Dalana Maal, Gajana Top, Salal, Arnas Lake can attract huge number of tourists.