Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today issued directions for relocation of a CRPF camp from Pahalgam as part of efforts aimed at improving the existing infrastructure to attract more tourists to the popular hill resort.
The chief minister issued directions for shifting the paramilitary forces camp to an alternate site during a visit to Pahalgam, where he was also briefed about the steps taken by Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) in maintaining the 46-km Pahalgam cave track, an official spokesman said.
Sayeed also instructed the chief executive officer of PDA to prepare a plan for the revival of Old Pahalgam Club.
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The chief minister also interacted with Amarnath pilgrims at the PDA helipad and he was informed that the chopper service conducts as many as 100 sorties from Pahalgam to Panjtarni on a fair weather day by operating 3 helicopters.
The yatris expressed satisfaction at the facilities being extended to them at Pahalgam, 100 kms from Srinagar which serves as the base camp for the annual pilgrimage, and other places en route the shrine, the spokesman said.
On an average, nearly 5,000 Amarnath yatris perform 'darshan' at the 3,880 metre high holy cave daily from Pahalgam axis, he said, adding, the chief minister, at the helipad, directed the PDA to keep provision of a food court in the revised Master Plan for the tourists.
The spokesman said Sayeed visited Pahalgam Mini Hydel Power Project, Old Pahalgam Village Market, Betaab Valley and Aru and Circuit Roads.
He also inspected the newly-laid helipad which will facilitate movement of choppers from Pahalgam to Panjtatrini during the yatra period.
Sayeed also passed instructions for landscaping of open areas on either side of Circuit and Aru Roads and connecting of Iceland and Sekhpathri Parks by a zipline.
On Sayeed's instructions, the Circuit, Aru and Betaab Valley Roads have been macadamised by the Roads and Buildings Department.
The chief minister issued directions for clearing of debris of SRTC building, which was gutted early this year, in Pahalgam market to open up the area.
Sayeed also inspected the work on covering of drain in main market and its conversion into pedestrian walkway, being carried out by R and B Department, the spokesman said.
The chief minister granted one-month extension to the Tourism Department to complete the work on Pahalgam Club. It was earlier scheduled to be inaugurated on August 8.
