Divisional Commissioner reviews
'Jammu Baisakhi Festival' arrangements

Jammu, April 04: A number of mega cultural events are being organized during Jammu Baisakhi Festival from April 13 to 15 in Jammu city, Akhnoor and R.S Pura by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with other departments.

This was informed in the high level meeting convened here today under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Jammu and attended by the senior officers of Tourism, Culture, Information, Education, Floriculture, Archives and Museums, Handicrafts, Handloom, Health, PHE, PDD, Police and other departments.

Spelling out the details in the meeting, Director Tourism Jammu informed the meeting that the publicity committee of Tourism Department has proposed Jeo Potha River Front, Akhnoor, Suchetgarh and Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Jammu as the venues for holding varied Cultural Events during the three-day Jammu Baisakhi Festival.

He said that during Festival at Jeo Potha river front Akhnoor developed by Tourism Department, a photo exhibition on "Heritage of Jammu", regional folk dances show, band display and organizing of Arti at the banks of river Chenab in front of temple would be the main events, besides illumination of local temples, Gurudwaras and Fort on April 13, 2009.

The meeting was informed that for promotion of border tourism and attracting the tourists towards the tourism destinations of the border areas, Suchetgarh in RS Pura would be showcased during the Baisakhi Festival by organizing cultural bonanza there. As a part of bonanza, a workshop on border tourism, cultural programme, photo exhibition, band display and orchestra would be held at Suchetgarh on 14 April, 2009.

Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Jammu would be the venue for exhibition-cum-modeling show on traditional dresses of Jammu and Kashmir, food festival, ethnic dresses and launching of food project “Cuisine of Jammu” on April 15.

Regarding the arrangements made for smooth conduct of the festival and facilitating the visitors during the festival days, the meeting was told that all necessary arrangements have been made by the tourism and other departments involved in the conduct of the festival.

Addressing the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr. Pawan Kotwal said that Jammu Baisakhi Festival has become an annual feature and is getting popularized at national level. This, he said, has been instrumental in attracting heavy tourist inflow in the state especially Jammu region which has a greater scope for pilgrimage and heritage tourism owing to huge pilgrimage and heritage sites across the region. He directed the concerned departments to put in their best efforts and ensure that this festival showcases the rich culture of the state.

Snow Clearance on Kargil- Padum road in full swing

Jammu, April 04 – District Development Commissioner, Kargil, Mr. Satish Nehru visited the Kargil-Padum road to inspect the snow clearance work. He was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Superintendding Engineer Mechanical Division and other officers.

The 234 km long Kargil-Padum road, the only life line of Zanskar sub-division with Kargil and rest of the State, is cut off for vehicular traffic since December,2008 due to heavy snowfall and avalanches on the road. This has affected the road connectivity to Zanskar sub-division as well as Taisuru block.

To restore the traffic on this highway Mechanical Division, Kargil has started snow clearance work from both sides of the road by pressing four dozers, two from each side from February 17.

Giving details of the road clearance work, the SE, Mechanical Division, Kargil said that the snow has been cleared from 88 km long road up to Parkachick from Kargil side while 20 km long road has been cleared from Zanskar side, so far. Snow clearance work on remaining stretch is in full swing and is expected to complete by ending May.

Appreciating the role of Mechanical Division for restoring road connectivity between Kargil and other parts of the district during winter season, the Deputy Commissioner assured all possible assistance to strengthen the department.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed upon the concerned staff to work with missionary zeal and dedication and redouble their efforts to ensure early restoration of traffic on Kargil-Padum road so that essential commodities and other emergency items could be despatched to Zanskar sub-division at the earliest.