Soon you could spend a night or two in Maan Merak near Pangong lake in ladakh — where the Amir Khan-starrer Bollywood blockbuster Three Idiots — was shot.
Sensing the popularity of the location of the Indo-Sino border township, Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned about Rs 1.5 crore for a Budget accommodation in Maan Merak to the State Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The Ministry has sanctioned another Rs 1.5 crore for a Budget accommodation in Charasa village in Nubra Valley in leh.
In the last one week alone, the Tourism Ministry has pumped in close to Rs 5 crore for the face-lifting of leh-ladakh areas. “These locations are getting very popular, with both the young Indian tourists and foreigners, as these locations are perfect for great treks. The only one hindrance is underdeveloped infrastructure and good lodging options,” said a senior Tourism Ministry official.
“We have sanctioned about Rs 5 crore for this financial year. If these projects complete within the deadlines and the States ask for more funds then we will be more than willing to sanction but that will depend on the status of these projects,” said the official. The official also said that since most of these areas were restricted for tourism purposes till 2010, hence lodging options so far have been limited.
The Ministry has also sanctioned about Rs 25.70 lakh for building fresh trekking routes in Sui-Markham, Chilling, Sumdo and Run areas. “While there is a huge demand for biking and trekking paths among young tourists, lack of wayside facilities is a big reason for them opting out of leh-ladakh adventures,” said the official, who said that a chunk of Rs 5 crore sanction was towards building enough wayside facilities like toilets, street lights and signage.
The Ministry has also given money for building viewing decks and developing tourist facilities along the leh-Nyoma route. Nyoma, which a small picturesque township at an altitude of 14,000 feet in leh, it has an advanced landing ground of the Indian Airforce, which is proposed to be reactivated soon.
The State Government has also sanctioned funds for building a Krishi Vigyan Kendra to improve the fodder production in the area in order to protect and nurture local fauna.