Checking delay in projects

14/01/2019

In order to give much-needed boost to the tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir, Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism and Culture has recommended a slew of measures to the Union Government which include effective way of releasing funds, keeping air fares under reasonable limit and starting tourist trains from all metro cities of the country. The Committee, which tabled its report in the RajyaSabha few days back after paying visit to the State and holding detailed deliberations with all the stakeholders, has observed that seasonality of the State along with the other variables is contributing to the delay in the completion of the projects in Jammu and Kashmir. It has recommended that the Union Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and other stakeholders should impress upon the Union Ministry of Finance to chalk out a plan to ensure a more sustainable and efficient way of releasing funds to the Jammu and Kashmir for timely completion of projects.
The number of flights from Srinagar to Leh and from Srinagar to Kargil should be increased so as to minimize the difficulties of people of Ladakh region and to encourage tourists to visit these places", the Committee said in the report. It is pertinent to mention here that Ladakh region comprising of Leh and Kargil districts remains cut off from the rest of the State and country during the winter because of closure of Zojila Pass due to massive snow and air service is the only alternative for to and fro journey. However, the exorbitant air fares remain an issue for the people of both these districts. Every year the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil raise the issue of exorbitant air fares but till date no measures have been taken by the Union Government to keep the fares within reasonable limit. It is hoped that the recommendations of the Parliamentary Panel will be taken seriously by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. It has further recommended that the Ministry of Tourism must coordinate with the Ministry of Railways to facilitate the speedy completion of Vistadome Coaches. These coaches, with the glass tops, would be a wonderful addition to the railway services particularly in the Kashmir valley by giving its passengers a 360 degree view of the surroundings. It has also recommended that the Ministry of Tourism should impress upon the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the J&K Government to improve road infrastructure in pilgrim and border towns where existing roads are unable to cater to the ever increasing vehicular movement.

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty