Tuesday, August 22 2006 10:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: Counseling people to make honesty and hospitality as hallmarks of state's tourism, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad forwarded a new concept of comfort tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Along with creation of tourist infrastructure of bigger magnitude, guest inns, guest houses and other comfortable facilities in tourist potential areas would give considerable fillip to tourism in the hitherto left out places of attraction, Azad said after laying foundation of tourist resort near Neru rivulet in Baderwah town of Doda district.

Azad said that the conception of guest inns and houses accommodating the visitors with warmth and comfort would not only avert raising of concrete complexes in the area but also afford to the people occupational diversification.

Now without spending hefty amounts on the construction of hotels and restaurants, the people by creating inns and guest houses can make a substantial earning for them, he said.

The inns idea would preserve the green gold of the area too and make tourist enlightened about the rich culture and traditions with which many areas including Bhadarwah is blessed, he said, adding visitors living in guest houses wouldbesides getting the feel of warmth and complex when completed should emerge as an architectural marvel.

Azad warned the executing agency and its engineers of penal action in case they fail to complete the work in stipulated time frame. When the money stands sanctioned to the executing agency, they are under a solemn obligation to build the complex within the fixed timeframe, he asserted.

Azad directed the executing agency that bhadarwah tourist resort situated at the entry point should be constructed in such a manner that itself not only match with the natural splendor of the area but present a face of the place and its people in terms of comfortable stay.

The engineers, who detailed to him about the layout plans of the project, informed that the multi-storeyed complex housing a restaurant, office, eight double-rooms and two suits and a waiting room, would be constructed in such a manner on the pastoral landscape that when viewed from front side it would give a look of single storeyed complex.

He was apprised that the resort would have all modern and sophisticated amenities like central heating system, spacious and well furnished bathrooms fitted with all accouterments.

Later, the chief minister inaugurated the helicopter service to the revered Kailash Kund and mystic Seojdhar. The helicopter service conducted successive sorties in carrying the devotees to these destinations.

Azad said that the pilgrims registering themselves for availing helicopter flight in large number is an encouraging aspect for tourism promotion of the Bhadarwah.

"Over 100 people are already awaiting their turn to fly over to these destinations, while heavy rush of locals too is getting the service booked for themselves," he said.

In his brief discussions with the delegates of All India Domestic Tour and Travel, Azad said that Bhaderwah provides infinite possibilities for tourism promotion and referred to culture, heritage, nature and spirituality connected with kailash kund.

He apprised the tour and travel delegates that the annual Kailash yatra is followed by famous Mani Mahesh yatra and starts with chari from Gatha in Badarwah and then goes to Vasuki Nag, Ramtund where it stays for the night and then to Kailash. He said that the yatra finally culminates at Kailash Kund the abode of Lord Shiva.