Jammu, September 14: The newly found political power by Jammuites does not seem to have changed much for the discriminated province as the region is yet to make a mark on national or international tourist map.
The tall claims of the government particularly the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed that all the three regions would get equal treatment does not hold much water as the focus is still on Kashmir and other regions including Ladakh are getting superficial treatment and political ‘jhumlas’ from the government.
Notwithstanding the fact that the BJP which swept the polls for the first time on the plank of all round development of Jammu and no discrimination henceforth has not been able to assert itself as yet and Jammuites are already feeling neglected by their own ministers who till other day used to paint a rosy picture for Jammu region particularly making it an alternative tourist destination.
Had it not been so the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu (CCIJ) would not have to come out in open and declare that it was due to delays in execution of vital tourism projects in Jammu region that Jammu could not make it to tourism map.
The representatives of chamber were concerned that despite the new government in place for more than six months the files were still moving with the same pace as these used to move earlier indicating that Jammu was not the priority even for the new dispensation.
The pace at which the vital tourism projects are dealt with in Jammu indicates that Jammu has still to do a lot to mark its presence on national or international tourism map.
Even though there are numerous places that have the potential to make Jammu a hub of tourism the basic support and will power of the powers that be is prerequisite as mere private enthusiasm won’t do much.
At the same time it is also a fact that Jammuites lack leadership and don’t hammer issues when they need hammering as mere cribbing like a n agony aunt won’t take them anywhere in this politically complex state.
The CCIJ at a media briefing had said that that Jammu region has failed to find place in the tourism map of the country because of undue delay in taking up the already sanctioned tourism projects by the State government.
“Jammu has not been able to find place in the tourism map of the country as the government has failed to start work on the already sanctioned projects like Gandola, Artificial Lake, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, and Multi storey parking.
“The government is also not taking any new initiative to identify the new tourism related circuits in Jammu,” President CCIJ had said.
He had said that if Jammu becomes a tourist hub, it will boost the economy of the region.
He pointed out the complete “failure” of the railway authorities to modernize the present Jammu Railway Station and creation of three additional platforms because of which no new train could be sanctioned for Jammu.
He said that the CCIJ has urged the defence ministry and the director general of BSF to start a Wagah Border like ceremony in Suchetgarh sector along the international border, so that it attracts large number of tourists.
“The ceremony at Wagah border attracts large number of tourists, if a similar ceremony is held in Suchetgarh sector, where all the required infrastructure is in place, it would help boost the economy of Jammu region and the state,” He said.
This is clear indication that Jammuites are getting frustrated with hoax promises by the new dispensation and want focus on tourism in Jammu so that this region does not face the neglect that it has been facing for the past several decades.
It is in the interest of Jammu leaders and the new political dispensation that concrete steps are taken well before the situation takes an ugly turn as the patience of Jammuites is fast losing and might turn into another AIIMs or Amaranth type agitation to seek separate statehood.
It is hoped that the tourism potential of Jammu is recognized and developed accordingly so that Jammu becomes a hub of tourism independently that can supplement Kashmir tourism and not be dependent on it.