KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Jan 27: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s  Jammu and Kashmir’s visit has said that before launching new projects, PM should review progress on earlier projects in the state.

“While you promise more and lay more foundation stones, the life in Kashmir hasn’t changed a bit because of connectivity problems. There is a dire need to review the status of those developmental projects that were announced earlier. Unfortunately, majority of them have gone into limbo,”said senior PDP leader and former  minister Naeem Akhtar .

According to him, the Jammu -Srinagar national highway remained closed for seven days which is a unique dubious distinction of a state capital and it is not today, it is round the year that that the state capital has to depend on a fair weather Road.

“The momentum built during the past three years has been  at present destroyed to the core and now situation is such that most vital projects are being neglected as part of a sinister plan,”  said senior PDP leader and former  minister Naeem Akhtar .

He stated that the  the construction of Zojila Tunnel has been abandoned  while as the Jawahar Tunnel on Srinagar Jammu highway is in shambles.  Akhtar said that 72 years have passed since Jammu and Kashmir was made to  throw its lot with the union but people still wait for the all weather road that could connect the landlocked Kashmir Valley with the outer world. “When Kashmir took a decision to go with India, it closed all its traditional routes and in the bargain we lost access to the rest of the world through our traditional routes . It is worrisome that the condition of the Jammu -Srinagar Highway continues to remain pathetic even after 72 years of Independence. In 2003 Vajpayee laid the foundation stone of its extension but 16 years have passed and nothing concrete has been achieved. The PDP got around two to  three of working with you and in this period, we removed all hassles for the  construction of a good and decent highway but central agencies again failed miserably at that time,”Akhtar said, adding that this is the serious restriction on the economic growth of the state and missing the deadlines has become a norm.

The  Former Minister said that the PDP government had with the central government discussed in detail the need of tunnelling between Ramban  and Banihal section so that vehicular movement on the highway remains uninterrupted and smooth even during  the inclement weather.  Though the proposal was agreed by the central government but not carried forward, Akhtar said.

Also, according to him, PDP led Government emphasised for the construction of a tunnel on Mughal road in order to make it an all weather road. Though, said Akhtar, the issue was discussed at threadbare with the central government  and was also agreed but no forward movement was witnessed.  He added that Wailoo tunnel was agreed to be built but the plan  at present remains on paper only.

Furthermore,  Akhar said tenders were fixed for the Ring Road and land  acquisition for the purpose was in the last stage at time when popular government was toppled in the state last year. “However, unfortunately, all the progress made for the project has been undone under the Governor’s rule. The National Highway 444 between Pampore and Qazigund via Shopian and Pulwama was downgraded but even in that downgraded form, no action has been taken so far.  Similarly, Four-laning of Baramulla- Srinagar Road stands approved but no action has been taken so far on ground.

Akhtar urged the Prime Minister that while laying foundation stones of the new projects,  fate of those vital developmental projects that have gone into limbo should also be checked.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Jan 27: To attract tourists to Kashmir, J&K Hoteliers Club is scheduled to organise road show at Mumbai to tap Maharashtra market and Bollywood.

In a statement issued here, Chairman Hoteliers Club Mushtaq Chaya has said they been in Mumbai for past couple of days in connection with their road show in the city.

“We will be inviting leading tour operators and destination sellers during our show and showcase them our tourism products. We are also in touch with famous bollywood stars and also filmmakers who will attend our show. Bollywood shooting promotes Kashmir as a scenic destination at global level. Their participation is must for our show. During the shows, we also invite both regional and national media to cover the event and sensitize them how important it is for them to cover positive stories,” said Chaya.

He visited Mumbai during Out Bound Travel Mart (OTM) and promoted J&K’s tourism potential. On the sidelines of the OTM, Hoteliers Club met various travel trade bodies from Mumbai and also set meetings for Bollywood filmmakers for the first week of February to invite them for road show.

Chaya said Road Show are important to create a buzz about Kashmir and send a positive message among travellers that they should not miss visiting Kashmir.

“Though, our state gets meager funding for tourism promotion, the hotel, travel and houseboat associations have been doing commendable job by organising road shows across many cities in India.”

Recently, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association conducted its Road Show in Pune wherein over 100 travel agents participated. The travel agents are the main sellers of the destination who we mostly target during these road shows. It benefits us a big deal. Our state needs more and aggressive promotions than other state as we are receiving lesser number of tourists.

The members who participate in these shows also get an opportunity to network with their potential clients and agents to promote their companies.

Chaya said they are organizing road shows in collaboration with the department of tourism.

“We are thankful to the department of tourism for taking tourism stakeholders on board for its publicity campaigns. Overall it is a joint effort, in which we need to collaborate with each other.”

Besides road shows, the Hoteliers Club will also engage PR company from Mumbai for maximum coverage to the road show and also create liaison with the company for tourism promotion.

“Kashmir is already in the hearts and minds of the travelers. They crave to visit Jammu and Kashmir especially Kashmir which is truly a paradise on Earth. However, we suffer from wrong perception that Kashmir is not safe for tourists, which hinders our growth.

We need to develop public relations with regional media. During our show, we will be hiring public relations agency, which will give mileage to our show and create a positive buzz in the city, he said.

Chaya expressed optimism that the year 2019 will be good for Kashmir tourism.

“During our campaigning in several cities, we are getting good response from the travelers and our principal agents across the country. Allah has also been benevolent with timely and plenty snowfall this season which brings cheers among travelers. We are hopeful of this year’s tourism will be good.”

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Jan 27: Principal Secretary Planning, Development & Monitoring, Rohit Kansal reviewed the arrangements for the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting here last evening.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary PWD (R&B), Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Secretary Tourism, Rigzian Sampheal, DC Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, DC Samba, Sushma Chauhan, Director Hospitality & Protocol, Hashmat Ali Khan, Chief Engineer R&B Jammu, Sudhir Kumar and other concerned officers including SSP Traffic and Additional SP Samba attended the meeting.

At the 3-hour long marathon meeting which was also joined by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam towards the conclusion, Kansal took detailed stock of the arrangements being made for the series of functions to be organized at Jammu, Srinagar and Leh including installation of stage, drinking water, power supply, seating arrangements, medical facilities, sanitation, Hi-end vehicles, traffic management, parking, programme schedule and other arrangements being put in place for the VVIP visit.

Kansal stressed upon the officers to make sure that all necessary arrangements are made well in time. He called for close coordination among different agencies for the smooth conduct of Prime Minister’s visit to the State.

Pertinently, Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Jammu, Srinagar and Leh on 3 February 2019 to lay foundation stones and inaugurate various development projects.

Prime Minister had last visited the State on 19 May 2018 to lay foundation of Zojilla Tunnel project.