Kargil, January 08: Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon today chaired a meeting with Secretary Tourism/PDD, Vikram Singh Malik, at Council Secretariat, Kargil.
Executive Councillor for Tourism, Kacho Mohd Feroz; Councillor Parkachik; Chief Engineer PDD; Exen PDD; Project Director KREDA; President AKTTA, and other officials attended the meeting.
At the outset, the CEC highlighted issues raised by All Kargil Travel and Trade Association (AKTTA) including space at platforms such as OTM (Outbound Travel Mart) and SATTE (South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange). He asked to play the documentary prepared by Tourism Department at OTM to promote Kargil’s tourism potential effectively.
The CEC also stressed the need for a special package for tourism promotion in Suru Valley, which has already been taken up with the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
Additionally, he called for visit of consultants to Kargil to explore avenues for further development and asked for a timely annual tourism calendar to attract more tourists.
Dr. Akhoon advised for simplifying the registration process for tour operators and hoteliers and urged for the completion of ongoing projects, particularly the 60-year-old historic Iqbal Bridge restoration project under the KDA. He also discussed implementing a subsidy policy for hoteliers and an incentive scheme to boost the hospitality sector.
The CEC also raised the issue of revising the tariff structure for Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA). In response, the Secretary directed Project Director KREDA to submit a revised tariff proposal through Hill Council Kargil for further action.
Suggestions were made to explore revenue-sharing projects for KREDA and LREDA.
Regarding Iqbal Power Project restoration, the CEC was informed that recurring expenditures for the project had matured. Dr. Akhoon also lauded the Power Development Department’s (PDD) efforts to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Kargil.
Councillor Parkachik, Ainul Huda expressed gratitude to the Secretary Tourism for initiatives such as snow skiing training for youth in Suru Valley and paragliding activities. He suggested collaboration with Kashmir Tourism to explore untapped tourism potential and proposed the establishment of a mountaineering institute in Suru Valley.
The Secretary Tourism assured full support in exploring Kargil’s tourism potential and assured to take up the highlighted issues with higher authorities for necessary action.
