‘Better connectivity between Jammu-Srinagar Govt’s priority’
He further said that another major challenge for the government was traffic management in cities and towns.
Asserting that dependable surface connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu regions was major challenge for the government, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Friday said that making the Jammu-Srinagar Highway as all-weather road was on prime focus of the PDP-BJP coalition government.
“Jammu–Srinagar Highway is not able to cater the surface transport need of the two regions from quite some time, a little snow or rainfall forces authorities to shut it either completely or just allow one-way traffic. This situation has to be rectified at the earliest in larger interest of the state,” Mufti told reporters at his official residence on Wazarat Road here.
“This highway is the lifeline of our state’s economy as well as tourism industry, ensuing Amarnath ji Yatra is also dependent upon the highway. Our government is committed to make it roadworthy in all weather conditions and for this purpose work has already been initiated,” he said.
He further said that another major challenge for the government was traffic management in cities and towns.
“Over the years number of vehicles has increased manifold while the roads are same and these need to be widened to meet the rush,” he said, adding, “ERA (Economic Reconstruction Agency) has taken up the construction of two flyovers in Jammu and Srinagar which would definitely ease the traffic pressure. In addition to that the government is mulling to construct multi-storey parking in main cities and towns.”
“Our focus is on quality road network to connect the major tourist destinations and virgin locations of Himalayan foothills in Jammu region,” he said. “The Central government has already sanctioned a huge amount for maintenance of existing Jammu-Srinagar and Batote- Kishtwar roads.” He said the Government is working on another all-weather link with tunnels from Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Khelani to connect the Chenab Valley.
ON TOURISM:
Speaking on the tourism potential of Jammu region, Mufti said that government would create world-class tourism infrastructure to project the region as independent tourist destination.
“Yesterday I visited Kathua and was amazed to see the potential of Ranjit Sagar Dam for leisure tourism and for water parks. I wonder why nobody so far thought of this as it is situated in close proximity to Punjab and Dalhousie, a famous tourist spot of Himachal Pradesh,” Mufti said.
He added that the government would create all required infrastructure for development of tourism in the region and for this its first priority would be to provide better road connectivity.
He said that the government was devising a plan to use Mubarak Mandi complex to showcase Dogra heritage. A parking project for Panjtirthi has also been sanctioned, he added.
On Tawi Artificial Lake project, Mufti said, “It is not economically viable project for the state as water flow of Tawi is not like Chenab which remains uniform throughout the year. Instead of lake we will develop landscape and create parks and gardens along its banks so that it will be best used to attract tourists.”
He also said that the work on Mubarak Mandi- Bahu Fort Ropeway and development of Sidhra Golf Course will be taken up on priority for tourism.
Rolling out plans for other parts of Jammu region, he said Government is mulling to develop health and leisure tourism industry in hilly areas of Jammu region with Patnitop as central point. “This includes establishment of an International Yoga Center at Mantali, golf course at Sanasar, water sports on Chenab River and project Batote and Jai Bhaderwah as health resorts,” he added.
