CEC reviews progress on tourism dev works under KDA, ZDA

Kargil: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan Wednesday reviewed the pace of progress on tourism development works being executed by Kargil Development Authority (KDA) and Zanskar Development Authority (ZDA) in the district here at a meeting of the concerned officers.
Executive Councillor for Tourism and Zanskar Affairs Er Punchoq Tashi, Chief Executive Officer KDA/ZDA Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Executive Engineer KDA/ZDA Shabir Hussain besides other concerned officers attended the meeting.
The CEC sought details from the officers about the progress achieved so far on the tourism department ongoing works, besides, management, maintenance, up gradation and renovation of assets and other activities taken up by the concerned for tourism infrastructure development in Kargil and Zanskar.
It was informed that in Kargil area, work on 11 projects is presently underway at a total cost of Rs 98 lakh which includes projects for up gradation of assets, preservation and renovation of historic Ziarat at Fikar Yurbaltak, construction of Public Convenience and Café of historical Ziarat at Kharpoo Khar.
The officers further informed the CEC that six projects worth Rs 165 lakh have been proposed under new schemes.
As regards the status of works in Zanskar area, the meeting was informed that tourism developmental works are underway at a cost of Rs one crore which includes works conservation and renovation of monasteries at Karsha and Sani, construction of guest houses at Itcher and Munay Gonpa, besides repair and restoration of Phuktal Gonpa.
The CEC stressed on the officers for the creation of durable assets while taking due care of quality parameters so as to ensure effective development of tourism infrastructure to attract more tourists to the district.
Feroz Khan also directed for developing and redesigning of Tourist Centre at Damsna for the convenience of tourists and people visiting the area. He also asked officers to take necessary measures to outsource the available assets of KDA and ZDA.
The CEC also directed the concerned to formulate a proposal for the creation of parking spaces for convenience of tourists at border village Handurman. The CEO KDA/ZDA was directed to construct welcome gates at Zojila and Penzila out of the revenue component of the development authorities.
The CEC also stressed for taking due care of maintenance, landscape, plantation, sanitation and proper waste management of the tourist facilities to develop sustainable tourism infrastructure in the district.
He directed the officers to synergise their efforts so that the requisite results are achieved within the stipulated timeframe and also to get necessary feedback about the status of works and implementation of various initiatives on the ground.
The issue with regard to the shortage of engineering staff in the two development authorities also came up for discussion. The CEC assured the officers for early resolution of the issue on priority basis.