Srinagar : Saying that three most important tourist destinations of Doodhpathri, Tossamaidan and Yusmarg , nearer to Srinagar City and International Airport ,were the victim of “government’s negligence” , Chairman Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Front ( J&K PDF )Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has urged the need for developing basic tourism development so that visitors do not face any difficulty during thier stay.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Hakeem expressed dismay over the lackadaisical approach of the government towards development of the tourism places of Doodhpathri , Tossamaidan and Yusmarg which are visited by thousands of nature lovers every day. He said visitors oftenly complain about poor tourist infrastructure at these tourism places. He said, whatever, little infrastructure was developed during the previous civilian governments , too has been outsourced , which has further compounded the problems . He said that there has been no addition to the boarding and lodging facilities adding that the number of hotel accommodation , lavatory blocks was same as build about 10 years back. Concerned Development Authorities of these three tourism places have failed to come upto the expectations of the people especially nature lovers .
Hakeem stressed for augmenting basic tourism infrastructure at virgin tourist destinations of Doodhpathri , Tossamaidan and Yusmarg. He said these tourist places , despite being nearer to the International Airport and Srinagar city , have no tourism infrastructure commensurate to thier vast tourism potential .While demanding development of basic tourism infrastructure at tourism places of Doodhpathri, Tossamaidan and Yusmarg , Hakeem has rued government for neglecting these tourism destinations . He said tourists visiting these tourist places oftenly complain about poor civic facilities, lack of restaurants and parking places.
PDF Chairman has said that outsourcing of the whatever little tourism infrastructure at these tourist places ,has further compounded the difficulties confronting visitors as there was no accountability and transparency . There are no rain and wind protection shelters, eateries and kiosks due to which tourists are put to tremendous difficulties during weather vagaries in these meadows .
Hakeem appealed Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to release special grants for developing A-class tourism infrastructure at Doodhpathri , Tossamaidan and Yusmarg ، in order to cope with the ever increasing rush of visitors . He said all the three virgin tourist places have tremendous potential for adventure tourism , winter sports ,skiing and skating besides cable car projects ، the potential areas , which have been totally neglected till date . ” These facilities , if created , could open vast employment avenues for the youth especially local populace , Hakeem Yaseen said that the concerned tourism authorities have totally failed to come upto the expectations of the people especially tourists .
Quoting a famous couplet – “Zara Zara hay meray Kashmir Ka mehmaan nawaz – Rastay Kay pathroon nay dediya paani mujhay” , Hakeem said that Kashmir was much more than the traditional tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg adding that a galaxy of virgin tourism destinations was spread across the length and breadth of Kashmir valley which need to be exploited and prompted with a focused attention .
