Chief Minister Reviews Work on Nowgam Tourist Facility Centre

Jammu, April 01 – Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah reviewed the progress of construction of Tourist Facility Centre, coming up at Nowgam, near Srinagar at a high-level meeting here today.

	Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during review meeting with Tourism officials

The meeting was attended by Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr. S. L. Bhat, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Secretary,Tourism, Ms. Tanveer Jehan, Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah and other senior officers.

In a power-point presentation at the meeting, it was stated that Rs.19.59-crore Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at Nowgam was necessitated after the gutting of the Tourist Centre at Srinagar in 2005.

The Tourist Facility Centre would serve as the main tourist information hub for tourists to Kashmir. The site is near the Srinagar Railway Station and at reasonable distance from the Srinagar Airport.

It was stated that the upcoming TRC at Nowgam is spread over an area of 12.5 acres while as the total plinth area is 20,270 sq ft with a built up area 31,430 sq. ft. The cost of building complex is expected to be Rs. 11.59 crore. The cost on civil works constitute Rs. 7.49 crore while the rest of the amount is being spent on landscaping, service roads, parking, water supply, sanitation, electrification, site illumination, drainage, retaining walls and contingencies.

The project, launched in March 2008, is expected to be completed by the end of November this year. On completion, among other facilities, the complex will be having reception and lobby, waiting lounge and public convenience, 20 cubicles for various services, internet café, ATM facility, cloakroom, non-vegetarian and vegetarian dining halls, kitchen, pantry and scullery facilities.

The complex will have guest accommodation on 8,900 sq. ft. built up area of two blocks and 4 suites. There will be 40 double-bed guest rooms, support areas including library and common area and will also an amphitheatre on 3,500 sq. ft. for 400 persons.