Center to develop Basohli as a tourism hub: Union Minister

Jammu, July 25: Central government is providing liberal funding for developing Basohli area of Kathua district as a tourism hub, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.

He said Basohli town is well known across the country for its Art and Pashmina.

"The central government is very keen to develop Basohli town as a hub of tourism," Singh said during the launch of 'J-K Aroma Arogya Gram Project' at Basohli.

Singh said that the state government has submitted projects worth Rs 180 Crore to central government for creating adequate wayside amenities for tourist including development of Ranjit Sagar Dam as tourist spot.

The Centre government has also formulated a comprehensive plan to boost Pashmina industry of Basohli. He said that centre is also working on a plan to provide rail link up to Sinthen Top via Basohli and Bani.

Highlighting the benefits of the Arogya Gram project, the MoS in PMO said that Basohli area has sufficient potential for cultivation of medicinal plants.

He said the project is set to be completed in one year and would provide unemployed youth an opportunity to set up ventures in cultivation of medicinal plants.

"With the development of medicinal and aromatic herbal village in Basohli, hundreds of local unemployed youth especially women would get employment at their doorsteps," he said.

Speaking at the function Jammu and Kashmir health minister Choudhary Lal Singh said that the central government has provided adequate funding under the various sectors like Health, Road, Building, Public Health and engineering PHE, for developing every nook and corner of the state.

PTI