Srinagar: The Chairman, J&K Peoples Democratic Front (JKPDF) and MLA Khansahib, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has sought personal intervention of the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti for development of Doodhpathri Tourist place in Khansahib Constituency especially for construction of the proposed Cable Car Project, for which final DPRs are awaiting green signal of the Government since last few years.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Hakeem Yaseen has said that Doodhpathri tourist resort offers a tremendous potential to become an all season tourist destination, with vast scope for Golfing, Skiing, river rafting, winter games and adventure tourism. He said that construction of the Cable Car (Gandola) would help to explore many natural meadows lying in the lap of this alpine valley of the Pir Panjal that Himalayan Range.
While underscoring the rich tourism potential of Doodhpathri, Hakeem has mentioned in the letter that the nearby meadow of Mujpathri: Mujpathri is situated on the bank of river Shaliganga, which has a big water fall which needs to be given wide exposure by the tourism department. “Similarly, apart from Palmaidan, Diskhal is a vast meadow on top of the mountain which overlooks the Ashtaar glacier,” the letter reads.
The PDF, Chairman has made a specific mention of the visits paid to this mesmerizing tourist destination, from time to time , by many high profile dignitaries including the Chief Ministers , late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed , Gh. Nabi Azad and Omar Abdulla adding that they were very much impressed to see its natural beauty and had assured all out support of their respective Governments to exploit its tremendous tourism potential. He has regretted that despite the repeated assurances, no process has been initiated by the tourism department to tender out construction of the proposed Gandola at Doodhpathri. He has hoped that Mehbooba Ji will personally intervene in this matter to get started construction of the Gandola project at Doodhpathri.
Hakeem Yaseen has also requested the Chief Minister to accord sanction to construction of the proposed Gulmarg–Tossamaidan-Doodhpathri-Yousmarg Tourism Circuit, adding that it would give a big boost to the tourism activities in the state as a whole besides providing livelihood opportunities to the local populace especially to the youth.
Hakeem Yasin has also demanded construction of a Golf Course at Doodhpathri besides an Amusement Park over about 125 Kanals of Kahcharai land available in the vicinity of Doodhpathri, He has asked the Chief Minister to help to develop a modern Tourist Satellite Township over about 600 kanals of Custodian Land available near Doodhpathri. Besides, there is a large number of Gujjar Kothas scattered all around the Doodhpathri meadow which could be remodelled into modern Log Huts to show case the state’s rich heritage tourism, the letter reads. He has also urged for permission, to the local un employed youth, for setting up restaurants, barbeques and kiosks in Doodhpathri, to meet the immediate requirements of the visitors, who throng this place in large numbers during the tourist season. “For this purpose, the Doodhpathri Development Authority (DDA) has already earmarked about 4 kanala of land,” Hakeem Yaseen added.
“Keeping in view the larger tourism interests of the state, , it is my humble request to sanction special grants in favour of the Doodhpathri Tourism Development Authority for development of the required tourism infrastructure there, “ the letter reads
