Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said the Government will create productive infrastructure in the tourism sector in Shaher-e-Khaas to promote the historic Old City of Srinagar as a cherished religious and heritage tourism destination. She said the Tourism Department has been tasked to formulate a comprehensive proposal in this regard.
“Rs 100 crore out of Rs 80000 crore Prime Minister’s Development Package would be spent exclusively for building tourism infrastructure in Shaher-e-Khaas in tune with its distinct cultural heritage,” the CM said while interacting with people during her extensive tour of various Old City areas including Makhdoom Sahib, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Kathidarwaza, Chatti Padshahi, Baba demb and Khanyar this morning.
The CM paid obeisance at the shrine of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoomi (RA) and took stock of the facilities available there for the devotees and the local residents. She also took on the spot review of the development works going on in the shrine complex.
The CM offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the State and interacted with the devotees and the Mujavirs at the shrine.
Expressing dismay over the heaps of garbage being dumped around the shrine, the CM asked Tourism Department and the Wakf Board to landscape the area on the left side of the entry gate and develop it into a beautiful park. She also called for cleaning of the pond inside the shrine premises to make it attractive for the visitors.
She asked the district administration Srinagar to formulate a plan of action for shifting of illegal settlements from around the Malkhah, which according to the locals have become a hub of criminal and anti-social activities.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the lackadaisical approach of the Wakf Board in the proper maintenance of the shrine, the Chief Minister said she would soon convene a meeting of the Board to take a holistic review of its activities regarding development of shrines and other assets.
During her visit to Hari Parbat Fort built in 1808 under the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani, the CM called for promoting the area as an exclusive tourist destination. She said the fort, which is pitched on a hillock in the middle of the city, gives a birds-eye view of the whole Srinagar city.
The CM visited the Interpretation Centre at the Base Station of the Makhdoom Sahib ropeway project and called for making the restaurant inside the premises functional at the earliest. Stressing the need for proper maintenance of the premises, she also called for setting up a library and reading room in the area for the visitors as also creating other recreational facilities for the locals.
The CM also visited the temple of Sharika Devi located on the foothills of the fort and enquired about the facilities available there for the devotees. She also visited Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi located in the same area interacted with the devotees there.
During her visit to Baba demb, the CM said the water body would be restored and it would be developed and promoted as a tourism spot in the Old City. She asked Secretary Tourism to formulate a plan for the development of the area in consonance with the heritage character of the Old City. She said a food street could be established around Baba demb once the water body is restored.
Enroute, hundreds of people, especially the women met the CM at various places and apprised her of their problems. The CM assured them that their genuine grievances would be redressed on priority.
“Despite going through turbulent times in recent past, J&K continues to stand out as an epitome of amity,” she said and added that Hari Parbat is one of the outstanding centres of the State’s unique secular ethos, where the shrine of renowned Sufi saint, Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA), the Sharika Temple and Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara stand side by side giving an undiluted feeling of brotherhood.
Director General Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, DIG Central Kashmir Range, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, SSP Srinagar, Amit Kumar, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, MD Cable Car Corporation, Shamim Ahmad and other officers of district administration and tourism department accompanied the CM.
CM earmarks 100 crore for heritage tourism promotion in Shaher-e-Khaas
