Centre approves 36 tourism projects for J

Srinagar, Jul 5 (UNI) The Centre has approved 36 tourism-related projects for Jammu and Kashmir during the tenth plan involving a financial assistance of about Rs 85.39 crore, an official spokesman said today.

He said the Union Tourism Ministry has made efforts to revive the Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg and a new building was being constructed at an outlay of Rs 8.58 crore.

A new building for the Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar was also being constructed with central assistance of Rs 7.15 crore, the spokesman added.

He said the pilgrimage circuit of Rs 8 crore for Amarnath and Hazratbal shrines and the destination development project of Rs 5 crore for Ladakh have been sanctioned by the Ministry.

Five tourism development authorities have been taken up (two each in Jammu and Srinagar while one in Ladakh) under the infrastructure development scheme at a cost of Rs 10 crore in 2005-06.

The Union Tourism Ministry in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Directorate proposed to hold road shows in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, the spokesman added.

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