Trade bodies bat for Jammu as independent tourist destination

Various trade organisations connected with tourism and pilgrimage today pitched for making Jammu city and its surroundings as independent tourist destination. In a joint statement issued here, representatives of various trade organisations connected with tourism and pilgrimage and other stake holders demanded early completion of all tourism related projects in and around Jammu. The representatives welcomed the reports of completion of the artificial lake in river Tawi within four months, and proposed construction of eight-hole golf course in Sidhra. They have demanded encroachments on the Tawi bank and the adjoining belt be removed and effective steps be taken to prevent encroachment in the area. Provision for holding Aarti at the lake bank should be allowed and bathing ghats should also be developed, they said. Apart from this, they have also appreciated expansion and upgradation of Jammu airport to make it fit for international flights as well as the steps being taken to develop Suchetgarh border post as tourist destination. They demanded early taking up of the project of laying cable car between Mubark Mandi and Bahu Fort and from there to Maha Maya hill top. Hailing the setting up of underground aquarium below Bahu fort and at the upper most end of Baghe Bahu, they have demanded this be widely publicised among the pilgrims coming to Vaishno Devi and also at places outside the state. They have demanded that motor boats should be provided in the lake as tourist attraction and water games also be held in the lake.