Naveed ul-Haq
Budgam, Aug 1: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that this year so far 1.27 Crore tourists have visited the UT and the number is all set to cross previous year’s record.
Addressing a gathering at Charar-e-Shareef in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, the Lt Governor showered praises on the revered saint Shiekh-ul-Alam Sheikh Noorudin Noorani (RA) and said that world knows Sheikh-ul-Alam. “The saint doesn’t need to be introduced to anyone in the world as he is Sheikh-ul-Alam not Sheikh-ul Kashmir. The saint was an epitome of sufism,” the LG said.
He said that a peaceful atmosphere is prevailing in Kashmir as business remains on throughout the year and schools and colleges are functioning normally. “I keep on saying always that nothing is possible without peace. No development is possible unless peace is established. There was a time when a shikara owner, a hotel owner and a common auto-rikshaw owner would suffer a lot due to uncertainty. We have come out of that phase,” the LG said, adding that “this year so far 1.27 Crore tourists have visited J&K and the figure is much higher than last year. We hope to see record breaking tourist arrivals by the year end.”
He said when a large number of tourists have started frequenting Kashmir, it was the prime duty or the administration to ensure quality infrastructure. “We are setting up tourist infrastructure everywhere in the UT to give the best facilities to our guests,” he said. “When large number of guests would date with Kashmir, our local shopkeeper, taxi driver, hotel and shikara owner will earn and at the end, our economy will improve.”
He said that Kashmir University’s full-fledged Centre will come up at Budgam district and he will discuss the issue with the Vice-Chancellor KU shortly. About the district hospital in Budgam, he said that the hospital will offer all major facilities to people.
“I will not make claims of something that can’t happen. I won’t make hollow promises so that if someone will replace me and will claim this was promised but didn’t happen,” he said. The Lt Governor said that so far, 30,000 youth got jobs and all were selected through transparent manner. “Recruitment process will once again start from September this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that during his visit to Charar-e-Shareef, LG interacted with the spiritual leaders, public representatives, local residents and discussed the measures to harness the tourism potential and give a boost to spiritual tourism at Charar-e-Sharief. Extensive deliberation was also held on infrastructure and modalities to address the immediate requirements.
Responding to the demands, the Lt Governor said the UT Administration is working with the right intent to meet the developmental needs and aspirations of the people. He assured that all the important works will be taken on priority. “On demand of restoration of Khanqah, the LG directed the tourism department to work in close coordination with experts of NIT, analyse the detailed design, architectural drawings and restore the revered structure to its original glory,” the official spokesman said.
“We have been successful in establishing a peaceful and prosperous ecosystem in the UT. This has been possible because of the support and cooperation of the people of J&K,” he said. The Lt Governor also took appraisal of the ongoing works at the Shrine and adjoining area.
