The Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to set up a theme park to showcase Indian mythology, particularly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, near the famous Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district and has sought investors for the project.
According to the officials, the Katra Theme Park will combine education and entertainment and of course, mythology will headline Jammu and Kashmir’s economic development, which aims to take a different route.
The Union Territory’s attempt at development, senior government officials said, will not be by building cement-making factories, but by using unique methods.
The Katra theme park will mean an investment of about Rs 500 crore and a foreign partner – like Disney – is being sought. Directly and indirectly, the theme park is likely to create huge employment opportunities, something this UT, troubled by cross-border terrorism desperately needs, they added.
As the theme park will be near the Vaishno Devi temple (there are three proposed sites, all of them close by), which attracts over eight million pilgrims every year, there will be a large number of visitors every year. The theme park could be a post-darshan attraction for hundreds of devotees every day.
J&K govt looking for PPP partner
The officials further said that the Central government is supportive of the initiative and with its support, the J&K administration has begun looking for a foreign partner in a public–private partnership (PPP) venture.
Highlighting the advantages of investing in Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said the union territory has progressive, competitive and investor-friendly policies, competitive cost of doing business, a conducive work environment and skilled labour.
It also has 57 industrial estates across 20 districts, availability of industrial and sector-specific land bank, pristine and pollution-free environment, large captive market and easy access to consumers of neighbouring states, the officials said.
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