STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) hailed the appointment of Sandeep Naik as Principal Secretary Tourism and hoped that the administrative change will definitely help Jammu tourism traders in redressal of their grievances including neglect of Jammu District Tourism.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, President Inderjeet Khajuria blamed the previous governments for total neglect of the ongoing tourism projects of Jammu district which once commissioned would have changed the entire socio-economic status including micro climate of Jammu and its suburbs, a dream of Jammu tourism traders including hoteliers for making Jammu an independent tourist destination. Despite a known fact that the train link to Katra was a shocker to whole of the tourism related traders fraternity of Jammu which shattered their economy endangering the future livelihood of more than five lakh souls dependent on tourism, the government did nothing to create avenues for tourist attraction, he added.
Expressing annoyance over the previous governments poor performance, Khajuria stated that not even a single tourism project in and around Jammu was commissioned and thrown open for the public or the tourists during the span of decades and wondered how and why the tourists could be expected to come and stay in Jammu to boost the moral and trading by Jammu traders. Referring to the ongoing Jammu tourism projects, Khajuria stated that Artificial Lake Project on Tawi river which was started during 2010 was to be commissioned during 2013 jumped date after date for completion, is nearly complete except for some mechanical works, construction of diversion channels for keeping away filth and municipal waste. The Association had committed to perform evening Aarti at Tawi Lake Ghat daily on the pattern of Ganga Aarti at Haridwar which could have the attracting capacity of devotees in hundreds not only the tourists but the Yatris from Katra as well.
“Likewise Jammu Cable Car Project though foundation stone laid was to be completed within 30 months but public is watching helplessly with no tangible progress. Modernisation of General Bus Stand with parking, shopping complex foundation stone was laid twice by the two Chief Ministers with no progress. Upgradation of Deer Park Manda Sanctuary to the level of national park with a zoo of international fame, Mubarakmandi Heritage Complex and the development of Suchetgarh border on the pattern of Wagha Border at Amritsar are other projects which await completion and commissioning,” he added.
“Untill and unless the Jammu tourism projects are completed and commissioned Jammu cannot become an independent tourist destination. Though Divisional Commissioner Jammu has convened a meeting to review the status of the ongoing tourism projects yet no details of achievements have been recorded as practically no work is visible on the ground, he stated.
