Srinagar: Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (J&K PDF)and former Minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has expressed dismay over slow pace of work on construction of 18 rope way projects sanctioned by the Administrative Council last year in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir under ambitious central project – Parvat Mala initiative .The objective of the Parvat Mala initiative is to develop a comprehensive rope way network in Jammu and Kashmir to benefit all sections of the population andboost both religious and other tourism activities in a big way . These projects include construction of Loran Poonch to Tossamaidan and
Sitharant to Tossamaidan rope ways in Khansahib areas of district Budgam.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday Hakeem said “ It was disheartening to know that prefeasibility report of only 3 out of 18 rope way projects sanctioned by AC last year, have been reportedly carried out so far by the NHLML. Stating that he has telephonically talked to Chief Secretary and sought his personal intervention for expediting work on all the proposed rope ways including Loran Poonch to Tossamaidan and Sitharant to Tossamaidan ropeways in Khansahib areas of l district Budgam, Hakeem said that said rope ways needed to be constructed on priority basis to extend its benefits to all sections of the population and boost tourism activities in a big way . Hakeem also demanded construction of a rope way at Neelnag – Yusmarg upto Bargah meadow to boost tourism activities in Buzgoo ,chrari sharief and Pakherpora areas . PDF Chairman has also appealed L.t Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary to sanction a modern golf course at Doodhpathri in view of vast golf tourism potential there.
Inviting the attention of Chief Secretary Attal Dullo , towards mismanagement prevailing in three tourism development authorities of (TDAs ) of Tossamaidan ,Doodhpathri and Yusmarg the PDF Chairman demand the conduct of an emergency review meeting to overhaul functioning of these TDAs . He has sought personal intervention of the Chief secretary ,who is also Chairman of these TDAs , for development of basic infrastructure in these tourist destinations, reiterating therein that that these TDAs were confronting administrative neglect under the incumbent administrators . He has apprised the Chief Secretary about the non availability of basic tourism infrastructure in TDAs of Tossamaidan ,Doodhpathri and Yusmarg and complained therein that tourists face tremendous difficulties in seeking comfortable night stays . He said cleanliness , sanitation and sewerage treatment facilities have been totally neglected and tourists are being forced to pay entry fees at multiple locations unreasonably at Doodhpathri . “ In absence of any monitoring and watch and ward mechanism , the touts are fleecing innocent tourists at their sweet will” ,Hakeem said, adding therein that the need of the hour is to build necessary tourism infrastructure on priority basis . He said construction of Tossamaidan ,Doodhpathri and Yusmarg tourist circuit in addition to a cable car project and Golf course at Doodhpathri were some of the priority works that need to be taken up at the earliest . PDF Chairman further said that Tossamaidan ,Doodhpathri and Yusmarg tourist resorts have tremendous potential for winter tourism , water sports , rafting , golfing , skiing , adventure and trekking activities and could be developed as all weather tourist destinations .
