SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government plans to develop tourism infrastructure at Peer-Ki-Gali and Dubjan in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
In response to a question by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay, the concerned minister, said that the Tourism Department has constructed four single-bedroom huts at Bohrihalan, Shopian, under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a sanctioned cost of Rs 166.12 lakh.
Additionally, tourism-related infrastructure worth Rs 466.51 lakh has been developed in Shopian under the same scheme. Under the CAPEX budget, the department has completed 12 projects costing Rs 261 lakh, while eight new projects with an estimated cost of Rs 84 lakh have been initiated for the 2024-25 financial year.
The minister said that while the government intends to develop tourism infrastructure at Dubjan and Peer-Ki-Gali, construction is currently restricted as the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest and Wildlife Department. However, to facilitate tourism, the department has taken up the construction of a cafeteria and public convenience facility at Hirpora, on the way to Peer-Ki-Gali, at a project cost of Rs 35 lakh under the State CAPEX Budget 2024-25. The process for land identification and transfer is ongoing.
He added that a proposal for staff rationalization is under active consideration to ensure adequate staffing for the Tourism Development Authority. (KNO)
