The Central government has sanctioned over 110 infrastructure development projects in Jammu and Kashmir for promotion of tourism industry, hit hard by over two decade long militancy in the state.
The Central government has sanctioned over 110 infrastructure development projects in Jammu and Kashmir for promotion of tourism industry, hit hard by over two decade long militancy in the state, officials said here today.
"As many as 114 infrastructure development projects at a cost of nearly Rs 260 crore have been sanctioned by the Union ministry of tourism from 2002 to March 2010 for the promotion of tourism in the state," they said.
Out of 114 projects santioned by the Central ministry, they said 27 projects have been prioritised by the ministry for sanction during 2010-11 at a cost of Rs 116.58 crore.
Three mega projects - one each for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh - have been identified for sanction during 2010-2011, they said, adding Rs 50 crore have been sanctioned for the project in Kashmir and Rs 25 crore each would be utilised in the projects for Jammu and Ladakh regions.
The tourism industry in the valley was hit hard by over two-decade long turmoil. However, the tourism sector witnessed growth after 2002 when militancy began to decline.
But the tourist season over the last three years has been continuously marred by unrest that has seen the valley shut
for three consecutive summers.
The tourists fled the valley at the peak of the season in 2008 following the Amarnath land row agitation and again shunned the breathtaking tourist destinations here the following year when the death of two women in Shopian district of south Kashmir brought the locals on the streets.
The valley again witnessed near empty hotels for last four months as widespread protests over killing of civilains brought the entire valley to a standstill.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}