The Centre has sanctioned 14 mega tourism projects worth Rs 73.50 crore for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) during the last three months with the aim of creating tourist-related infrastructure and conserving heritage sites.
This was stated by the Tourism and Culture Minister, Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora, while reviewing the pace of progress of different tourism-related projects being executed under the Central Financial Assistance, an official spokesman said.
Mr Jora said nine tourism projects worth Rs 38.35 crore are being currently executed in the Kashmir Valley.
These projects include conservation of heritage corridor of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, construction of TRC at Yousmarg, budgeted accommodation at Aharbal, construction of Kashmir Haat at Chinar Bagh Srinagar, development of picnic spot at Pahalgam, Sarbal Lake at Verinag.
The Minister said four tourism projects have been sanctioned for funding for Jammu Division by the Centre, under which another mega heritage conservation project of Rs 16.92 crore have been sanctioned for conservation of the Mubarak Mandi heritage palace.
He said Rs 13.78 crore would be also incurred on development of tourist infrastructure at Mansar, Sanasar and Natha top, besides development of Darhal as Base Camp and Shikar marg as gate way of tourist destination of Pir Panjal.
The Centre has also sanctioned a project of Rs 4.45 crore for development of tourist infrastructure in Kargil.
The Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure timely completion of formalities for taking up of these projects well in time.