The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said that the sustained efforts are underway to make Jammu division as one of the major pilgrimage tourist destination and in this regard necessary mechanism has already been put in place to upgrade the existing infra besides creating awareness about the same in rest of country.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating Mathwar festival at Akhnoor here today.Vice Chairman Kissan welfare Board, D. S. Chib, Social Activist Mamta Singh, prominent citizens of the area and senior officers of various departments were also present on the occasion.‘Akhnoor area is of very great historical and cultural importance in the whole of Indian sub-continent and we have already set in process the mechanism which would not only preserve its historicity but also ensure development on the modern lines especially in the tourism and other related sectors.”, Dr Singh added.
Deputy Chief Minster while enumerating the steps undertaken for development of tourism sector said that the Prime Ministers development package envisions for the holistic development of the tourism and the focus is also on ensuring that the Jammu division comes up as one of the major destinations of the pilgrimage tourism in the country. He said that the efforts are also on for bringing the other unexplored areas on the tourism map.“This would also go a long way in promotion the overall tourism in the Jammu division, which would in turn give a fillip to the economy of the areas by way of generating the necessary job opportunities to the people related with tourist activities as well as the youth”, he maintained.Deputy Chief Minister said that these occasions serve as a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the festivals and the spirit of India. He said that we should come together and pray for peace in our state and the whole world as well.