Jammu, Apr 14: Government today said the Centre has agreed to provide Rs 150 crore grant for three mega tourism projects in the state.
 "Centre has agreed to sanction three mega tourism projects of Rs 50 crore each in Jammu and Kashmir during the current financial year," Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora said.
 The minister said the three projects have been identified as ‘Sufi Circuit’ for Kashmir, ‘Spiritual Circuit’ for Jammu and ‘Buddhist Circuit’ for Leh, adding that in this regard the DPRs of two projects have already been formulated and finalized and the DPR of third project is in final stage.
 This, according to an official statement, was stated by the Minister in a media interaction today at Mansar, where he inaugurated Baisakhi festival, organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy.
 The festival was attended by a large number of tourists and locals.
 The reputed cultural artists of the State presented variety of cultural programmes depicting rich cultural heritage and varied beauty of all the regions in the state.
 The cultural programmes mesmerized the audience and received applause from everyone present on the occasion.
 The Minister said that main objective of organizing such festivals is to provide entertainment to the visiting tourists besides publicizing new destinations, adding that the festivals would be made now annual feature for the tourists.
 The Minister said that Centre has approved funding of Rs 5 crore for conservation and development of Suransar lake, adding that approval for another project of Rs 5 crore for development and conservation of Mansar Lake is expected to reach soon from the Centre.
 He said after completing all codal formalities, the necessary conservation work besides infrastructure upgradation would be taken up at these lake sites.
 Jora said that pilgrim tourism potential of Jammu is being explored fully by developing pilgrim sites and creation of infrastructure there.
 He said after development of Shiv Khouri holy temple, focused attention would be given to develop other holy shrines and temples like Sudh Mahadev, Chichi Mata and Chandi Mata etc.
 The Minister said that sanction of one more project for conservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jammu estimated at a cost of Rs. 25 crore is expected from the Centre, adding that there were certain observations on DPR made by the Union Ministry of Tourism which have been cleared.
 The Minister also inaugurated an exhibition-cum-awareness camp at Mansar. The exhibition was organized by district administration Samba on the eve of Baisakhi festival, in which 15 stalls were installed by various departments which were visited by a large number of people and visitors.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST