The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, announced on Wednesday that the Indian Army will open battlefields like Kargil and Galwan for tourism. This initiative is aimed at giving visitors a chance to experience these historic battle sites and understand the sacrifices made by soldiers.
General Dwivedi highlighted that the Indian Army has already transformed parts of Jammu and Kashmir by shifting the focus from terrorism to tourism. He mentioned that the Army has successfully developed tourist-friendly areas and has been promoting adventure tourism in border regions. Over the years, 42 such trips have been cleared, offering tourists a chance to visit these sensitive locations with proper security.
The Army Chief was speaking at a gathering at Savitribai Phule Pune University, where he discussed the role of the Army in securing India’s growth and development. He emphasized that tourism has great potential, especially in border areas, and could significantly boost local economies. In fact, the Army has identified 48 areas where tourism initiatives can be expanded, with plans to double the number of tourists in the next five years.
As part of this effort, the Army is also supporting adventure tourism and training locals in activities like mountaineering. Several major projects, including treks to the Siachen Glacier and the “Soul of Steel” trek in Uttarakhand, have already been launched.
In addition to promoting tourism, General Dwivedi spoke about the Army’s contributions to infrastructure development in border areas, such as building roads, bridges, and providing essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare. He also praised the Army’s role in disaster management and global peacekeeping missions.
The Army Chief concluded by emphasizing that security is crucial for India’s growth and that the Army will continue to play a key role in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous India by 2047.
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