Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo spearheaded a thorough review of development initiatives in and around Jammu, emphasizing the comprehensive advancement of tourist destinations. In a meeting attended by key officials, including Principal Secretary, Culture; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; PCCF, CAMPA; Secretary, PWD; Ex Dir, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society; DC, Reasi; and Director Tourism, Jammu, Dulloo stressed the importance of provisioning amenities like roads, power, water, and sanitation for all sites.
Chief Secretary Dulloo urged a site-specific plan for each destination, considering its unique strengths and catering to the expectations of visitors engaging in leisurely activities. He advocated collaboration with tourism promotion entities nationwide, proposing Familiarization (FAM) tours to increase footfall.
For Gharana Wetland, Dulloo called for engagement with bird-watching associations across the country and improvements in amenities. He stressed the need to connect nearby destinations like Suchetgarh by road, creating a tourism circuit. Dulloo emphasized studying international and national best practices in tourism. Requesting the Border Security Force (BSF) to increase parade frequency at the Suchetgarh border, Dulloo emphasized the upgrading of facilities to accommodate the rising number of tourists. For Jajjar Kotli near Katra, he urged the Tourism Department to restore its former glory, making hutments and infrastructure functional, especially for school children.
Regarding the promotion of Ranjit Sagar Dam, Dulloo suggested initiating multiple water sports and adventure activities, ensuring full utilization of its potential while prioritizing visitor safety. He highlighted measures to make Mantalai a spiritual hub of yoga, emphasizing the availability of world-class infrastructure to potential tourists.
Chief Secretary Dulloo took note of current footfall and facility availability at Surinsar, Mansar, and other locations, instructing officials to create micro-plans to enhance their attractiveness. For pilgrim tourism, he directed the development of sites like Ambharan, Kameshwar Temple, Purmandal, Uttar Behni, and Shiv Khori, focusing on visitor comfort.
He also reviewed the development of the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex and the trail up to Raghunath Bazaar, urging swift implementation of plans. Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal provided insights into facility status, tourist footfall, and future plans for each location, underlining the timeline for plan implementation across all tourist destinations. The collaborative efforts aim to elevate Jammu’s tourist destinations, making them more appealing and accessible.