Mumbai, 3rd September, 2019: Maharashtra minister Jaykumar Rawal said the state government plans to build two tourist resorts in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Rawal, who holds the tourism portfolio, said a letter will be sent to Jammu and Kashmir Governor through his Maharashtra counterpart and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking land for the purpose, a move which comes ahead of Assembly polls.

The state is also looking for locations close to the airport and railway station. “We will appoint a consultant who will help us finalise the sites. Our first preference will be government land; we are also in touch with the state tourism board. The state is also open to buying private land if needed,” said Rawal.

The state government’s decision to build the resorts through the Maharashtra Tourism development Corporation (MTDC) comes in the wake of the Centre last month abrogating provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

With the revocation of these provisions, the bar on outsiders from buying land in Jammu and Kashmir, a major tourist destination, is expected to cease to exist.

The Centre has also bifurcated the border state which will lead to Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh becoming Union Territories on October 31.

Speaking to reporters, Rawal said the MTDC board, in its August 28 meeting, decided to allot Rs 1 crore each for setting up the resorts in Srinagar and Ladakh.