BJP State Spokesperson Prof. Virender Gupta expressed his deep concern on the fact that development of Tourism in Jammu region is not inviting the required attention of the State Government. He said that one of the examples regarding neglected of tourism potential of the region came up when Director General Tourism of Union Govt. Satyajeet Rajan expressed his deep displeasure on his finding that State Government, like the previous coalition government of NC-Congress has not shown any interest in developing huge property of Aparna Ashram at Mantalai while ignoring the advice of Union Tourism Ministry.
Prof. Virender Gupta said that as reported in the media that the State Tourism Department has not taken even the step of preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) of developing infrastructure of Aparna Ashram. Prof. Gupta said that Aparna Ashram left by Swami Dhirendra Brahmchari has a worth of several hundred crores of rupees which is spread over 1002 kanals of land. He said that merely spending around Rs. 8 crore, the Aparna Ashram can be put into best utilization by creating 30 to 40 rooms in addition to 27 rooms / halls those are alreading existing.
He further added that the above work if undertaken, it would supplement the proposed International Yoga Centre on which the National Project Construction Corporation would start the work in the month of January-February in 2018. As per the report the Director General has advised the State Tourism Department and Patnitop Development Authority for taking immediate steps to develop infrastructure of Aparna Ashram so that the work gets completed before the completion of International Yoga Centre at Mantalai as it would supplement the Yoga Centre which would be ready within next three-four years.
Prof. Virender stated that without the development of Aparna Ashram the Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop Tourism circuit would remain incomplete.
He mentioned that in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the matter before the State High Court, the High Court has appointed a Commissioner to visit Mantalai as well as Sudhmahadev to furnish report concerning the existing infrastructure and the facilities available at the site.
The Spokesperson expressed his hope that with the intervention of High Court the State Tourism Department might wake up and start initiating work on the development of infrastructure in Aparna Ashram.
