Jammu, July 16 (PTI): The largest underground aquarium in the sub-continent has come up in this winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Built at a cost of Rs 877 lakh in the first phase, the aquarium-cum-awareness centre has come up at Bagh-i-Bahu in the city.

Inaugurating the centrey, the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, dedicated it to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Recalling his association with the project since its conceptual stage, Azad said that the aquarium would be a much needed addition to the Bagh-i-Bahu which is visited by a large number of people.

He said that with the extension of railway network to Katra, the negative impact on the economy of Jammu city would be substantial.

"To compensate the probable losses, it has become necessary to make Jammu city attractive from tourism point of view so that the pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi also include their stay in the city in their itinerary," he said.

Keeping in mind the overwhelming response of tourists and general public to the tulip garden in Srinagar, a similar garden will come up in Jammu where the flower will bloom in the month of February only as against in April in Srinagar, Azad said.

The Chief Minister also released a book on the aquarium-cum-awareness centre containing its salient features.

Minister for health and medical education Mangat Ram Sharma, minister for agriculture A Zargar, minister for road and buildings, G S Charak and MLA Raman Bhalla also spoke on the occasion.