Raja Syed Rather
Jammu, Aug 23: In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that the United States was likely to rollback the negative travel advisory on the UT in the wake of the improving situation in Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering at Rajbhawan Jammu after laying the E-foundation stone for the restoration of the holy shrine of Shiv Khori. The project has been handed over to JSW group that will add new facilities at the shrine which will increase the tourist influx as well.
“A few days ago, I met two officials from the United States Embassy. They expressed gratitude to me for the improved situation and stated that they could see the huge change in the Kashmir situation. I urged them if they really feel the change, they should help in removing the negative travel advisory imposed on J&K by the US,” the Lt Governor said, adding that “The US Embassy officials assured me that they will write to their government and strongly recommend the rollback of negative travel advisory.”
The Lt Governor said that he briefed the US Embassy officials about the sea change taking place in J&K on the tourism front post G-20 summit in Srinagar.
The Lt Governor said that the J&K administration is committed to promote pilgrim tourism in the UT. “I am glad to announce that this year, the highest ever number of Amarnath pilgrims arrived in Kashmir in the last 13 years,” he said.
The Lt Governor said that last year 1.88 Cr tourists visited J&K and this year, the administration is hopeful to see 2.25 crore tourist arrivals in the UT.
Earlier in his speech, the Lt Governor appreciated Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and MD of JSW Group and the entire team for taking up the work for the restoration of Shiv Khori shrine. He said the new facilities will ease the pilgrimage and increase the influx of devotees.
“Shiv Khori is one of the most important religious sites of the country. The restoration, upgradation and new infrastructural facilities will ensure unique spiritual tourism circuit to devotees and it will provide a major fillip to the economy and create large employment opportunities for the local population,” the Lt Governor said, adding that “Due to inclement weather condition, I couldn’t join the ceremony in person. I extend my best wishes to the people and the team engaged in the restoration work.”
He shared the efforts of the UT Administration to strengthen the religious tourism circuit and to promote the cultural, spiritual heritage of Jammu Kashmir. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are working towards the resolution of ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’, where development work and growth go hand in hand,” the Lt Governor said.
He said the last three years have seen a glorious rejuvenation of various tourism sites and offbeat destinations. The LG called upon the civil society members, the local residents and all the stakeholders to make their important contribution in the restoration of the shrine and developing better facilities for the devotees.
He also reiterated the commitment of the administration for the extension of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board.
