Jammu, Mar 6 (Agency) Stating that the pockets having tourism potential will be fully explored, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Babila Rakwal on Sunday said the destinations surrounding the Katra town—the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine—will soon become a hub of tourism to attract the visitors from all over the country. “Every effort would be made to explore and exploit the full Tourism potential of the areas and places of Tourist interest around Katra and would be given full attention for the economic development of the area and for providing maximum employment opportunities,” said Rakwal while interacting with a delegation of Hotel and Restaurants Association, Katra and Federation of Hotels, Restaurants, Industries and Commerce of Jammu Region.
Rakwal, who is also the Vice Chairman Shiv Khori Shrine Board, accompanied by Additional SP Katra Amit Bhasin and SDM Katra Angrej Singh met the delegates led by President of the Hotel Association Rakesh Wazir and others. Wazir however, emphasised that besides Yatra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, the pilgrimage to Shiv Khori Shrine too has increased tremendously and need of the hour is this that all the facilities connected with Shiv Khori including Helicopter Service between Katra to Shiv Khori and back, early start of Rope way at Shiv Khori, installation of Shiv Khori sign boards enroute Katra to Bhawan and between Jammu to Katra and Udhampur to Katra, re-starting of live Aarti be started at the earliest.
He further said emphasis on developing the places of pilgrim and tourist interest around Katra be made because all these places have got the vast Tourism potential and can increase the stay of the Yatries to manifold and likewise the employment opportunities as well. Another member, Kushal Magotra said, “light and sound shows at Reasi Fort and Katra be started at the earliest and fully appreciated the recently opened Fountain Park at Bagh-e-Bahu Jammu and the same can be started at Shalamar Park in Katra”. However, the Deputy Commissioner assured said each and every point raised and discussed in the meeting would be considered sympathetically and the concerns will be raised to the right quarters for its implementation on ground.