The Maharashtra government announced on Wednesday that it intends to acquire land in Kashmir and Leh for building two resorts in the region. This is the first such decision taken by any government following the abrogation of Article 370.
#BREAKING – Maharashtra government to buy land in Leh and Pahalgam. Maharashtra govt would be the first state govt to buy land in Jammu and Kashmir. #Article370Revoked | @maryashakil and @vinivdvc with more details pic.twitter.com/ERCt6iVt8o
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 3, 2019
According to officials, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will set up resorts in Pahalgam in Kashmir Valley and Leh, Ladakh. The officials believe it will help the tourists going for the Amarnath Yatra and to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine.
“In Jammu and Kashmir we haven’t found a place yet, we are looking at Srinagar, somewhere close to the airport,” State tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal said. “In Leh, we are planning to start a mountaineering resort, because Maharashtrians are interested in mountain climbing, we are going have our on mountaineering resort there,” he added.
The MTDC will survey the region in the next 15 days to decide on the proposal. It also plans to the governor to enquire about any possible land that they could buy.
“I would like to welcome the abolition of Article 370. It gives immense opportunity to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. As a company, we look at opportunities where we can build resorts. We find that in Kashmir and Ladakh, two new opportunities have opened up. MTDC would be interested in buying properties, investing in hotels and hospitality segment in Kashmir and Ladakh,” tourism minister and Chairman of MTDC Jaykumar Rawal was earlier quoted as saying.
