Jammu Sep 28 PTI Director of Tourism Jammu Vivekanand Rai on Tuesday said his department is planning major events in the coming months to boost the tourism sector which was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemicSky is the limit as far as the tourism potential of Jammu region is concerned and the department has intensified its activities to bring unexplored destinations on the tourism map of the country he saidThe outbreak of COVID-19 hampered tourism-related activities but since the situation has improved restrictions are being eased and accordingly we are planning our activities to promote the tourism sector Rai told reporters after flagging off a three-day trekking expedition to Shankhpal hereHe said the tourism department has planned major events during the next four monthsWe had a two-day monsoon festival at Patnitop and a bike rally from Sidhra to Basohli Kathua over the past few days A series of big events are planned like iconic week Navratra festival Christmas and winter festival in the coming months which will be projected at national level he saidSome more events are also in the pipeline Rai addedHe said the department has decided to focus on offbeat destinations in addition to the regular attractionsThe picturesque Bani-Basohli in Kathua district will be given its due focus through tourism promotion eventsThe place was not developed as per its potential The infrastructure development is time-consuming but will be done in a phased manner officials saidRai said the department is also coming up with a plan to welcome tourists at the airport railway stations and bus stands PTI TASAB IJT

Jammu Sep 26 PTI Jammu Divisional Commissioner Raghav Langer on Sunday visited Katra the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district and reviewed arrangements for the upcoming nine-day-long annual Navratra festival an official spokesperson said Accompanied by senior civil and police officers including Director Tourism Jammu Vivekanand Rai Deputy Commissioner Reasi Charadeep Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Reasi Shailender Singh Langer conducted on-the-spot inspection of the venues proposed for conducting different activities during the Navratra festival scheduled to commence on October 7 he saidThe divisional commissioner stressed that in view of the Covid pandemic all the activities should be planned according to the standard operating procedure SOPLanger also stressed on adhering to the Covid protocols while holding the festival events the spokesperson said adding that he also suggested excluding activities involving large gatheringsThe highlight of the festival include devotional song contest wrestling competition Prabhat Pheris Shobha Yatra Mata ki Kahani recitation and other cultural items he saidLanger directed the concerned officers to put in place all necessary arrangements and work in a well-coordinated manner to make preparations well in advanceHe also stressed on effective regulation of traffic fool-proof security maintenance of roads streets beautification of shops and market and sanitation of Katra town he said PTI TAS KJ