Sindhu Festival 2011 in Ladakh

Leh (Ladakh), June 12: Addressing Sindu Festival at Leh this morning the Chief Minister highlighted the J&K State’s tourist potential and said that Leh and Kargil offer wide-ranging interest for heritage, adventure and conventional tourism.

View of inaugural ceremony at Sindhu Festival 2011 in Ladakh.

The Chief Minister said last year’s flash flood in Ladakh marred the tourist season to a greater extent, “I am happy to note that a good number of tourists are present in the festival and I have also been informed that arrivals this year have surpassed the tourist flow of last year till date”, he said. The Chief Minster mentioned the stupendous service rendered by the tourists in the rescue and relief operations during the flash floods last year and expressed his gratitude to them for the outstanding gesture.

The Chief Minister said that survey of Zojila tunnel is on fast track. “We expect its completion soon and hope the Central Government would take up this project on priority keeping in view its urgency and economic significance for Ladakh region”, he said underlining the importance of dependable and round the year communication facility for remote and backward areas of Leh and Kargil.

On restoration of flood-hit agriculture land in Leh, Omar said that Jammu & Kashmir State Government has released its share of Rs. 2 crores for the same and the promised Central assistance of about Rs. 20 crores is being persuaded.

The Chief Minister said that Sindu Festival is getting popularity year after year and attracting tourists from all over the world to this part of the State. He expressed the hope that the trend will continue.

Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Chief Executive Councilors of LAHDC Leh and Kargil, Rigzin Talbar and Kachu Ahmad Ali were present in the meeting.

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