Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Aug 21: A delegation of Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra met Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and apprised him about the issues pertaining to tourism, hotel, trade, commerce and industry.
The delegation was led by President of the Association Rakesh Wazir, while Chairman Shyam Lal Kesar, former President Shiv Kumar Sharma, senior Vice President Virender Kesar and Vice President Ajay Kotwal were also present.
Wazir while speaking said that spread of COVID-19 pandemic has broken the back bone of tourism sector and till the time concrete steps are not taken with regard to its survival.
He emphasized that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi yatra should be opened with pre-COVID tests without restriction of number so that business may start a little because Katra has complete infrastructure at Katra and Bhawan keeping in view the COVID guidelines. “Pithus and helpers with proper COVID testing should be allowed for the convenience of the pilgrims”, he added.
He said that the figure of the visiting pilgrims needs to be improved by increasing infrastructure viz vast publicity of new places of tourism and pilgrims interest around Katra. He said that preference to investments which may add on to the tourism potential should be explored.
Kesar while speaking emphasized for proper co-ordination of yatra with proper advertisement of its SOPs/guidelines so that pilgrims coming from outside UT should have proper knowledge of those guidelines and there should be proper co-ordination between the Government officials posted at Lakhanpur and other check posts.
He further said that all the pending works at Bhawan and enroute including Durga Bhawan should be completed by taking advantage of this lean Yatra period.
Beautification of Katra on the pattern of Golden Temple and Chandni Chowk beautification plan, under ground electric wiring, common sewerage plant for whole town, early completion of road between Railway Station to New Bus Stand/University and drain between Railway Station to Saraswati Chowk are some of the works, which needs attention, he stated.
Shiv Kumar Sharma, Virender Kesar and Ajay Kotwal also spoke during the meeting.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha gave patient hearing and assured that sympathetic consideration will be given to each and every point.
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