DDC finalises preparations for New Year Vibrant Bhaderwah Festival

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Directs Nodal Officers to arrange venue effectively

DODA: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Doda Harvinder Singh chaired a meeting today at Dak Banglow Bhaderwah to finalize the arrangements for the New Year Vibrant Bhaderwah Festival 2024. Scheduled from December 29 to December 31, the three-day celebration is being organized by the Department of Tourism, J&K in collaboration with the District Administration Doda.

The meeting was attended by the CEO Bhaderwah Development Authority, ADC Bhaderwah, ASP Bhaderwah, DFO Bhaderwah, district officers designated as nodal officers for the festival arrangements and representatives from Sanatan Dharm Sabha, Islamia Committee, Adventure Association, Hoteliers, Youth Committee, Tour and Trade Associations, Civil Society members, Excursion Agents, BATA Association, and ABTA Association.

The festival aims to highlight Bhaderwah’s natural beauty and adventure tourism potential, with events scheduled at Jai Valley, Guldanda, and Bhaderwah Fort on December 29 and 30, culminating in a grand celebration at the New Bus Stand Bhaderwah on December 31, 2024.

The Key Features of the Festival include Adventure Activities like Skiing, sledging, zorbing, cycling, zip-lining, hot air ballooning, and rafting at Shibnote (Premnagar).

Cultural and Departmental Exhibitions, showcasing the region’s heritage and the government initiatives, besides cuisine stalls offering a variety of local and traditional dishes are other highlights of the event.

 Chief Executive Officer BDA has been designated as the Nodal Officer to oversee all festival arrangements, while State Tax Officer (CTO) would act as the nodal officer for coordination

Medicare facility and ambulance services would be made available by the Chief Medical Officer to meet any health emergency.

The event will feature Cultural performances by local and celebrity artists and the responsibility for managing the saame has been conferred to District Information Officer and Culture and Education Departments.

To ensure best quality and hygienic food at the eateries, AD FCS&CA will be managing food stalls in coordination with NRLM and DUDA. The logistic and stage mounting arrangements are being made by the PWD (R&B) Bhaderwah.

An exhibition cum sale of local handicraft and handloom being organised by the Cooperative department would be another major attraction of the event.

The Fire & Emergency Services department has been put on alert to ensure venue safety with deployment of fire tenders and scrutiny of the venue. The Government Degree College is coordinating a literary festival on the sidelines of the event.  

The DDC emphasized on making foolproof arrangements for the festival aimed at promoting Bhaderwah as a major tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. He directed all departments and stakeholders to work in close coordination to ensure the success of this grand event.

Highlighting the potential of tourism to foster economic growth, the DDC urged the public to participate actively, making the Vibrant Bhaderwah Festival 2024 a memorable experience for visitors and locals alike.