Bad roads, lack of infrastructure hit tourism in Mansar

Excelsior Correspondent

SAMBA, July 2: The Mansar Lake, which is the only well-known water body in Jammu Region, bestowed with full tourism potential, strong religious background and belief at present turned out to be ignored in all spheres of development works and schemes.
The tourism in Mansar has never tasted the kind of take-off it deserves. As compared to other tourist destinations, least attention has been paid to promote tourism at Mansar despite huge potential and favourable topography.
“The road stretch from Samba to Nud up to Mansar is in bad shape. People are facing great inconvenience due to potholes. The dilapidated condition of the road renders every traveler in discomfort. As a result, the flow of visitors dwindled in number,” said , local residents.
“For the past more than five years, no repair work has been done on the damaged part of the road, due to which it is posing a threat to commuters. The bumpy road with ditches and pits from Nud to Mansar is not only a concern for tourists but also for local populace,” he added.
“The neglect and official apathy towards the sacred Mansar Lake had not only cast a dark shadow over the influx of tourists at the place but also affected the economy and opportunity of employment generation through tourism in the area,” said, another villager.
“The tourist spot battling for the development since very long is still lacking infrastructure. What is most distressing is the condition of banks of lake where one can see heaps of garbage, plastic bags, wrappers and rotten food strewn all over. The park surrounding the lake is not being properly maintained and there are no proper sitting arrangements for visitors,” said Vishnu Dutt, a local shopkeeper.
Despite numerous representations to the district administration and authorities concerned, they have failed to promote tourism at Mansar Lake, he claimed.

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