SRINAGAR: For the development of tourism projects in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India (GoI) has sanctioned a whopping amount of Rs 562.81 crore under different schemes in the past two years.
Highlighting that the Government of India has taken steps for the development of tourist projects across India including Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Tourism Tuesday informed the parliament that in the past couple of years huge funds were released and utilized for the projects in the erstwhile state.
Tourism Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel shared the information in Rajya Sabha in response to questions raised that include the status of 50 tourist circuits announced and how many have been set up.
In a written reply, Singh, said that the President of India in his speech of 9 June 2014 mentioned that the government will initiate a mission mode project to create 50 tourist circuits that are built around specific themes.
He said that the Ministry of Tourism under the scheme of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ has sanctioned 76 projects for the development of thematic circuits in various States/ Union Territory administrations.
“Also, the Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned tourism infrastructure projects under the scheme of National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD),” the Minister said.
In a detailed figure with Jammu and Kashmir among other states and Union Territories, the Minister said that under different government schemes several projects have been completed in the last few years.
About J&K the Minister said that between 2016-17 an amount of Rs 77.33 crore were sanctioned for the Integrated Development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-
“In the same year, an amount of Rs 40.46 crore were sanctioned for the development at Hazratbal, In 2016 -17,” the Minister said.
Under Prashad scheme, the Minister informed that for Jammu & Kashmir Himalayan Circuit Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian- Pulwama a total of Rs 84.46 crore were sanctioned.
“A total of Rs 90.43 crore were sanctioned for the construction of assets in lieu of those destroyed in Floods in 2014 under the PM development package,” he said. ” Rs 90.85 crore for the development of Mantalai and Sudhmahadev and Rs 87.44 crore were sanctioned for tourist facilities at Anantnag-Kishwar-Pahalgam-
“For the Development of tourist facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil -Leh a total of 91.84 crore rupees were sanctioned,” Patel said.
