‘Yusmarg-Dodpathri-Tosamaidan to come up as major tourist circuit’
He also issued directions for construction of a footbridge over Doodganga to connect the Yusmarg Bowl with the proposed site for laying of golf course.
J&K Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Wednesday toured central Kashmir’s Budgam district to take stock of development works there.
He also paid obeisance at the shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA) at Chrar-e-Sharief.
Comparing lush green environs of Yusmarg and Dodpathri with tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, the Chief Minister emphasized upon “integrating Tosamaidan with Dodpathri Development Authority so that the three destinations are promoted as a Single Circuit to give impetus to the enormous tourism potential of this Central Kashmir district.”
Mufti directed the Tourism department to expedite projects on laying golf courses, ropeways in minimum tree-line areas and amusement parks so that both Yusmarg and Dodpathri are promoted as “single-night” destinations. For this, he observed that intake capacity at both the destinations will have to be substantially increased.
He also issued directions for construction of a footbridge over Doodganga to connect the Yusmarg Bowl with the proposed site for laying of golf course.
“The Department should immediately engage a consultant so that the work on the project is started at an earliest,” he said and asked Director Tourism to work on establishment of a modern Conference Hall with attached paraphernalia for promotion of convention tourism.
Later, on his arrival at Chrar-e-Sharief, Mufti paid obeisance at the shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA). He issued directions to Director Tourism, Kashmir, to promote the historic place as a major ‘Pilgrimage Centre’ by way of up-gradation the existing facilities, on the pattern of smart cities. He said the demand for establishment of a centre for skill development at Char-e-Sharief will be also examined.
The Chief Minister also directed JKPCC to expedite work on construction of Khanqah, adjacent to the holy shrine, within the stipulated timeline.
During his visit to Bugdam, the Chief Minister interacted with citizens of the district, who raised several demands including improvement in condition of roads, healthcare services and power distribution system, besides scientific disposal of waste.
Mufti also visited District Hospital Budgam, where he went around the wards and interacted with patients.
Later, Mufti visited Imambara, Budgam, where he asked Director Tourism to improve the interiors by seeking expert advice from INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage).
MlC Advocate SaifUd din Bhat presented a 13-point memorandum which includes development of Sochalipathri, inclusion of PalmaidanDoban on tourist map along with Doodpathri, development of Circuit Tourism from Yousmarg to Doodpathri, re-establishment of Kothas for gujjar-bakerwal community of the area, development of tourist parks and water dports in the area, construction of hotels and cafeteria, development of dairy farms under PP mode, Gandola facility at Doodpathri.
