Sidhra Golf Building to get world-class facelift: Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu, November 24 – With an objective to develop world-class facilities at Sidhra Golf Course, the State Government today decided to involve experts to redesign the Club building to ensure the requisite paraphernalia matching international standards.

Decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting presided over by Ministers for Tourism & Culture, Jammu & Kashmir, here today. Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Secretary, Tourism, a Chandigarh-based reputed architect, known golfers of the State and other senior officers of Tourism Department were present.

The Club Building of the Sidhra Golf Course is coming up at a cost of Rs.6.50 crore and after inputs from experts, additional features like bowling alley, swimming pool, gym and spa, restaurant, lockers, office block and meeting hall on first floor will be added. Besides, additional parking space, park and open deck on first floor of the building will provide a panoramic view of the entire golf course.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the Government has taken various steps to promote tourism in the Jammu region. He said the Government is committed to create infrastructure for promoting adventure tourism in the region so that 72-lakh visiting pilgrims can be diverted to other tourist spots of the region.

Urging the executing agencies to complete the work on time, the Minister said that he will review the pace of work on a fortnight basis. “It is important that the projects are completed on time to avoid cost escalation and the benefits of infrastructure percolate to the people.”

Minister of State for Tourism said that high-end sports like golf have the potential to generate foreign exchange for the State. He said that aficionados of sports like golf have great spending power and efforts will be made to firmly entrench this sport in the State.

Urging early completion of work on all the ongoing projects, the Minister said that during their recent tour to London for World Trade Mart, several organizations and travel groups evinced keen interest in traveling to the State. “We have to gear up for meeting their expectations and provide state-of-the art facilities to the visitors,” he added.