SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday announced that the Jammu and Kashmir administration is exploring a two-phase ropeway project to the Amarnath Shrine to assist elderly and disabled pilgrims. He made the announcement while addressing the Tourism Secretaries’ Meet of Union Territories held in Srinagar.
Sinha said the administration is working to bring nine emerging tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir onto the national and international map under the SPREAD (Strategic Promotion and Revamping of Emerging Alternate Destinations) initiative. He added that the aim is to generate direct employment for five lakh people in the first year through tourism-based activities.
The Lieutenant Governor said tourism development is possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. He stressed that while security forces play a key role in ending terrorism, the responsibility of society is also important. He said any attempt by terrorists to draw support from the public must be prevented.
Referring to recent public demonstrations, Sinha said ordinary citizens taking to the streets against Pakistan-backed militants is a sign of change. He called on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to collectively ensure that terrorists find no space in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor said the region’s tourism sector has expanded in recent years, with strengthened traditional circuits and efforts to extend tourism to every part of the Union Territory. He said the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting hosted in Srinagar helped position JK on the global tourism map.
The event was attended by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi, Additional Secretary and DG Tourism Suman Billa, Senior Economic Advisor Gyan Bhushan, Joint Secretary MHA Praveen Kumar Rai, tourism secretaries from other UTs, and other officials.
