Jora inaugurates Peerzoo restaurant, island

The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today inaugurated Peerzoo restaurant and island, constructed by Tourism department at a cost of Rs 72 lakh near General Post Office (GPO) Road on the bank of river Jehlum.

The restaurant provides facilities like Kashmiri Wazwan, walk way and boating to the tourists. The second phase of the project would be completed by September this year.

MLA Amirakadal, Mr. Nasir Sogami, Secretary Tourism & Culture, Mrs Tanveer Jahan, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, prominent citizens, tourists and other senior officers of tourism department were also present at the inaugural function.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jora said that government would develop many tourist spots in Srinagar city for locals as well as outside tourists for enjoying their holidays. He said that this island would serve as launching point for Jehlum river transport towards Khankha Mohalla and Chattabal. He said government is committed to promote tourism infrastructure in and outside the city vicinity for attracting more tourists.

Mr. Jora said that focused attention is being given on promoting heritage and pilgrimage tourism in the city. He directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps for landscaping of the area and also asked for planting of ornamental plants and flowers on the banks of island and park.

Mr. Jora said that once the river Jehlum-front is beautified in the old city area, the tourists would be able to cherish a once in life time experience of witnessing the unique charm in the city in a shikara or a motor boat.

MLA Amirakadal appreciated this step taken by Tourism department for developing a park and restaurant on the bank of the river Jehlum. He urged for developing other spots of the constituency for the attraction of the tourists. He said that construction of welcome chowks at various sites of the constituency is beneficial for attracting the tourists towards the markets.

Director Tourism, in his welcome address said that many development projects in the Srinagar city are near completion. He said that Rustam Gari Restaurant is near completion and this would become attraction for tourists as well as locals. He said the development of Zabarwan Park with the facilities of museum, food court and children play area are near completion.