Srinagar, Sept 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the government has proposed both Patnitop and Gulmarg for consideration under the Centre’s scheme for developing globally competitive tourism destinations, but neither proposal has yet received approval or funding.
Responding to a question in the Legislative Assembly, Omar said the Centre had asked every state and Union Territory to identify a destination that could be developed as a world-class tourism destination.
“We could not give just one. If we give one, the other side will be upset. We said we are sending you two. You consider two and accept two,” Omar said.
He said J&K had consequently submitted Gulmarg from Kashmir and Patnitop from Jammu.
“We sent Gulmarg from here and from Jammu we sent Patnitop,” he said, adding that the proposals were still awaiting approval from the Government of India.
Omar said the J&K government had nevertheless begun preparatory work to establish the feasibility of the Patnitop proposal.
“We have started our work because approval will come when we can tell them that there is scope for development here, land is available and there is potential,” he said.
He said a preliminary survey had been conducted to identify suitable land parcels, while consultations had also been held with local stakeholders, including residents and existing businesses.
“This is all being decided so that we can convince the Government of India that if there is any area in Jammu that is capable of becoming a world-class destination, it is Patnitop,” Omar said.
He clarified that no funds had so far been released for the proposed project because the Centre had not approved it.
“The Government of India has not yet approved it. Since it has not been approved, no money has been released either,” he said, expressing hope that both Gulmarg and Patnitop would eventually be accepted under the scheme.
On the Patnitop Development Authority’s master plan, Omar said the revision process was already under way.
“The work is going on and I assure you that we will complete it as soon as possible and implement this new master plan,” he said.
He added that efforts to review and revise the master plan had been pending since 2011 and that the government was now pursuing the process “very rapidly.”
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