Ladakh to be developed as mega tourist destination
JAMMU, FEBRUARY21
Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora Tuesday said Trans-Himalayan Cultural Centre would be set up in Leh to develop Ladakh as mega tourist destination.
“GoI has given node to State Government’s Project of Rs 22.43 crore for setting up of Trans-Himalayan Cultural Centre at Leh and has released Rs 4.48 crore as first installment to take up the project,” Jora said while in a meeting of tourism department officers convened to discuss and finalize issues for early execution of the works under the newly approved project.
Under the project, Jora said, galleries of Western Tabitan Buddhism, Trans Himalayan region, silk route, Ladakhi culture, lifestyle, and traditional customs, craft centre, meditation hall, visitor’s hall, lounges would be setup to promote rich culture heritage of the region.
“Shopping kiosks along with toilet block and development of parking lot, internal roads besides landscaping is also component of the project,” he said.
The Minister directed concerned authorities to take measures to overcome impediments so that the construction and development of works under different components of the project would be started at the earliest.
“Government would provide the land for the project free of cost and also render all possible assistance for completion of the project in time.”
The Minister said that Commissioner Secretary Tourism would be the nodal officer for implementation and monitoring of the project.
He said a monitoring committee headed by Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture with the member from Union Ministry of Tourism and implementing agency would monitor physical and financial progress of the project and submit progress report to the Government on quarterly basis.
Jora instructed concerned authorities to complete all codal formalities well in time so that work would be started immediately to ensure early utilization of funds to avoid escalation of cost. He also directed concerned that the project should be completed and Commissioned with three working sessions.