JAMMU: The Centre has sanctioned three tourism development projects costing Rs. 17 crore for upgradation and development of tourist related infrastructure in Leh-Ladakh.
The state has already received the first installment of Rs. 3.39 crore to take up the work under first phase of the project envisaging creation of different type of tourism promotion works including, development of Lake circuit connecting Pangong, Tsomoriri and Tsokar lakes.
This was stated by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora while chairing Leh Development Authority (LDA) meeting, held here today. The meeting was convened to review the pace of progress on various projects being executed for holistic tourism development in Leh.
Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Home, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani was also present on the occasion.
Chairman LADHC, Rigzin Spalbar, Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture, Mr. Atul Duloo, District Development Commissioner, Leh, Mr. T. Angchuk, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Ahmed Shah, Superintendent Engineer, R&B, Leh, Executive Engineer, LDA and other senior officers of Planning, Finance and Tourism Department attended the meeting.
Giving details of the sanctioned projects, Mr. Jora said that Rs. 4.59 crore would be expended on creation of tourist facilities in Leh district under Destination Development Scheme (DDS), Rs. 5 crore for development of tourist circuit and Rs. 6.94 crore for development of lake circuit under Product/ Infrastructure Development for Destination and Circuit (PIDDC) programme. He said construction of budgeted accommodation involving an estimated cost of Rs. 2.85 crore at Maan-Marak at Pangong Lake and Chuchot Yokma is also part of the project.
The Minister directed concerned authorities to expedite the codal formalities for taking up these projects at the earliest. He also asked for timely completion of the on-going works. He said the government was keen to fully explore tourism potential of the region, as it forms the backbone of the economy of Ladakhis.
The meeting was told that an amount of Rs. 3 core is being expended during the current year on various tourism development works under state sector in the district. It was told that construction work of food craft institute at Leh have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.83 crore, against which an amount of Rs. 3.95 crore have been released and till date an amount of Rs. 2.79 crore have been expended on its execution.
It was informed that an amount of Rs. 68.93 lakh is being expended for development of rural tourism in village Tiger-Sumoor against which Rs. 16 lakh have been expended on hardware and software components. Refurbishment of Matho-Gompa Monastery is also apace at an estimated cost of Rs. 55. 23 lakh.
Executive Engineer, LDA gave a power point presentation on the physical and financial achievements registered by the authority for promotion of tourism in Leh.
