Need to make TDAs self sustainable: Chief Secretary

New Delhi, Feb 19: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Wednesday chaired a meeting to review and strengthen the functioning of various Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) across Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasised the need to make these bodies more meaningful by enhancing their operational efficiency and resource base.
Present in the meeting were Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir/Jammu; Secretary, PWD; Secretary, Law; representatives from BRO, NHA and NHIDCL besides Chief Engineers and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of making the TDAs self-sustainable. He directed the Finance and Tourism Departments to ensure devolution of resources and empower TDAs with the ability to generate revenue from their assets. He further instructed for demarcation of TDA-owned lands, thereby granting them better control and management over these crucial assets.
To bolster the authorities further, he called for an increase in manpower and stronger enforcement capabilities to establish their authority effectively within their respective jurisdictions. He asked the Finance Department to take proactive measures in this regard and support at least a couple of TDAs each year for their sustainable development.
Recognizing the need for structured growth, the Chief Secretary directed for formulation of a master plan for each TDA to ensure systematic and well planned tourism development. He underscored the necessity of such strategic planning to boost the tourism sector and create more opportunities for economic growth in the region.
Addressing concerns about wayside amenities, the Chief Secretary instructed the Tourism Department to collaborate with the Highway Authorities and the Public Works Department (PWD) to assess the current status of facilities available for tourists. He asked them to identify and bridge the gaps in roadside amenities along highways and other roads leading to tourism destinations.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of proper operation and maintenance of these roadside amenities, ensuring tourists have a seamless and enjoyable experience. He reiterated that well maintained facilities play a crucial role in promoting tourism and enhancing the overall appeal of Jammu & Kashmir as a preferred travel destination.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, informed that consultations are going on with the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation to explore the possibility of signing an MoU for operation and maintenance of toilet facilities at various tourist locations.
She added that a detailed location wise information of all toilet units managed by the department has been shared to conduct a pre-feasibility survey in order to assess the viability of the organisation to operate and maintain these units.
Secretary, PWD, Bhupinder Kumar, asserted that the Chief Engineers from PW (R&B) Department have been tasked to develop concept plans for constructing toilet complexes and parking spaces in strategic locations. He said that the R&B and Tourism Departments will conduct a gap analysis to assess areas along major highways that lack adequate amenities.
It was further informed that the BRO authorities have been tasked with submitting a detailed location plan for wayside amenities within one month. The NHAI has also been made responsible for making all the non-functional facilities operational by June 2026 along with NHIDCL to establish a wayside amenity complex between the newly opened Sonmarg tunnel and the under construction Zojila tunnel.
It was also added that public toilet facilities and conveniences at Qazigund, Marhama and Jajjar Kotli would be made operational by April 2025. It was revealed that new signboards will be installed along the highways to clearly mark the locations of toilet facilities with distance descriptions.
The meeting was apprised that a special focus is being put on tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop, Sanasar, Bhaderwah, and Doodpathri as these locations have a high volume of tourist footfall for major part of the year.