Report that the gutted TRC building will be reconstructed along traditional Kashmiri architecture is reassuring
TRC reconstruction on heritage lines
Arif Shafi Wani (Greater Kashmir)
After three years of dilly-dallying tactics, the government has finally decided to reconstruct the gutted historic building of Tourist Reception Centre with traditional Kashmiri architecture and provide all facilities for tourist under one roof.
TRC was gutted in a fidayeen attack on April 6, 2005, a day before prime minister, Manmohan Singh, flagged of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service. The incident was highlighted extensively by the foreign media, which had gathered in the summer capital to cover the revival of the bus service.
The TRC incident had for months affected the inflow of tourists, particularly foreigners after some embassies issued travel advisories against visiting the Valley.
In 2006, the PDP-led coalition government had decided to construct a five-star hotel at the spot in the City center.
However, the proposal was shelved after it evoked strong resentment from the tourism pundits and opposition National Conference had strongly opposed the proposal in the Assembly.
Officials said on the directions of chief minister, Omar Abdullah, the authorities have started the process to prepare the TRC’s design.
The director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that reputed architects have been asked to prepare the TRC’s design. “We will try to build the TRC on the pattern of its old design. The new TRC building will showcase the architecture and culture of Kashmir. It will be a blend of tradition with modern facilities,” Shah said.
The gutted TRC building housed many government offices and tourist utilities including, Fisheries and Wildlife department besides airline and railway reservation counters and a bank.
Since the TRC building fire, the Tourism department has been operating from hutments adjacent to the site. “Tourist will get all the facilities from booking to food under one roof in the new TRC building” Shah added.
Officials said a meeting would shortly be held under the chairmanship of commissioner secretary Tourism and Culture, Tanveer Jehan, to finalize modalities for the construction of TRC and upgrading tourism infrastructure.
Welcoming the proposal, the chairman of Houseboat Owners Association, Muhammad Azim Tuman, said the construction of TRC is imperative for promotion of Tourism. “TRC has been the face of Kashmir and first abode of tourist. It should be reconstructed on its old design,” Tuman said.