GULMARG: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Wednesday visited the Gulmarg Convention Centre and conducted a detailed inspection of the facilities and infrastructure available at the premier tourist destination.
During the visit, the Minister reviewed the existing infrastructure and functioning of various facilities being provided for tourists and visitors at the Convention Centre and adjoining areas.
He directed the concerned officers to ensure effective projection and wider dissemination of information regarding tourist-friendly facilities and services being provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government so that visitors are able to fully benefit from the available amenities.
Javid Dar stressed the need for seamless coordination among departments to ensure smooth service delivery and proper management of tourism-related infrastructure in Gulmarg.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said Gulmarg, being one of the country’s premier tourist destinations, holds immense importance for the tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir and plays a vital role in the local economy.
He emphasised the need for continuous upgradation of infrastructure and strengthening of visitor-centric services to further enhance the overall tourist experience.
“Gulmarg is not only a symbol of Kashmir’s natural beauty but also a key driver of the region’s tourism economy. It is imperative that we ensure world-class facilities and efficient service delivery for the tourists visiting this iconic destination,” the Minister said.
He also stressed maintaining high standards of hospitality and infrastructure while preserving the ecological balance and scenic charm of Gulmarg.
MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah and MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beig accompanied the Minister during the inspection.
Meanwhile, Javid Ahmad Dar also held an extensive public grievance hearing at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar, where he interacted with several delegations and individuals and listened to their concerns and demands.
During the interaction, a delegation from Tuzer Sharief, Zainapora projected issues related to macadamisation of roads and installation of drinking water pipelines for strengthening basic public infrastructure in the area.
Another delegation comprising carpenters from across Kashmir urged the Minister to extend welfare scheme benefits to them on the lines of construction workers registered with the Labour Commissioner J&K, highlighting the need for greater social security and institutional support for the community.
Several individuals also raised concerns regarding execution of civil works, construction of sheds and bund walls and sought release of pending payments under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and other development schemes.
Taking immediate cognisance of the issues projected during the hearing, the Minister issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned officers for prompt resolution of genuine public grievances.
He reiterated that public grievance redressal remains a top priority of the government and assured the delegations that all genuine demands would be addressed through coordinated and time-bound action.
