Minister for Tourism & Culture emphasizes Creation of Integrated Facilities at various Tourist Spots across the State
Inspects ongoing work at Sidhra Golf Course

Jammu, April 11 - Minister for Tourism and Culture Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora has emphasized the need for creation of inclusive facilities at various tourist spots across the State to facilitate visitors coming to the State. He said creation of conference halls, clubs, gymnasiums and other paraphernalia is imperative for attracting tourists from all over the world.

	Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jammu & Kashmir reviewing the under-execution work on the first phase of Sidhra Golf Course

The Minister was speaking while reviewing the under-execution work on the first phase of Sidhra Golf Course, here today. This is the Minister’s second visit to the golf course in less than two months to take a firsthand review of the progress of the work at the site.

The 18-hole Course, spread over 14 kanals, is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 44 crore. In the first phase, a 9-hole course will become operational in June later this year.

Director, Tourism, Jammu, Mr. S. M. Sahani, besides other senior officers of the department, accompanied Mr. Jora during the visit.

The Minister directed the concerned authorities to activate their efforts and formulate plans for developing integrated tourist facilities at various scenic and adventure places across the State.

The Minister said that the new golf course at Sidhra will have latest golfing facilities that would make for a magnificent vacation for the tourists. He said the facilities will meet international standards, adding that the course will be accessible for one and all and provide opportunity to our youth to take up the sport in a big way.

Outlining Jammu’s potential in the tourism sector, the Minister said that high-end visitors have to be targeted to harness potential in the sector. He made specific reference to the pilgrim tourists, adding that every step will be taken to extend their stay by offering them attractive packages, golf being one of them. “Jammu is known as the City of Temples as a number of pilgrim tourists come to pay obeisance at various holy shrines. “We need to tap this enormous advantage and create facilities for extending their holidays”, said the Minister.
While taking review of work at the golf course in the first phase for which Rs. 14 crore have been allocated, Mr. Jora was told that since the work began in September, 2007, Rs. 9.9 crore have been utilized. He was told that a recreational club would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.5 crore while the work on two water storage tanks is in progress.

The Minister stressed the need for proper landscaping of the course and asked the authorities to plant ornamental trees and flowers besides construct culverts over the streams. He called for coordinating with the Forest and Floriculture departments to spruce up the course so that an aesthetic look is given to it.