Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: To highlight their issues and the hardships being faced by them, various delegations called on LG Manoj Sinha, here today.
To highlight the hardships faced by tourists, hoteliers and local stakeholders in the Patnitop, during the snowfall period, a delegation of the Patnitop Hotel & Restaurant Association met the LG Sinha.
The delegation led by its president Lovnesh Rao Sathe and accompanied by Gaurav Gupta, BJP Spokesperson and Convener, International Affairs, drawn the attention of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to serious infrastructure and disaster-management shortcomings at Patnitop, which came to the fore during the recent spell of heavy snowfall between January 23 and 29.
They apprised the LG that Patnitop, the only major hill station of Jammu province with year-round tourism potential, witnessed near-complete disruption as key roads remained blocked for days, power supply snapped for nearly 72 hours and water supply was severely affected.
The absence of dedicated snow-clearance machinery and heavy equipment resulted in prolonged road closures, particularly on the Kud-Patnitop stretch, leading to massive traffic congestion and stranded visitors.
The Association further informed that several tourists who had arrived prior to the snowfall or through the Gandola were left stranded with minimal administrative support.
It was also pointed out that Patnitop lacks basic financial infrastructure, as the only ATM facility is located at Kud, forcing tourists to travel downhill which also affect tourism.
Among other, who were the part of delegation included Vikram Sharma, vice president; Syed Ali Jaffery, general secretary; Abhishek Gupta, secretary and executive members Romesh Gupta, Shiv Magotra and Bhawani Singh.
Meanwhile, more delegations led by MLA from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Constituency, Baldev Raj Sharma, MLA Javid Ahmad Mirchal from Karnah Constituency, former MLC Vibodh Gupta, senior BJP leader Munish Sharma, Aftab Malik, Chairman, District Development Council, Srinagar, delegation led by BSP leaders Sandeep Majotra and Sunil Majotra, delegation of J&K Christian Sabha, Kanak Mandi Traders Association, M S Nazki and the representatives of Mata Bhaderkali Asthapana Trust Thalwal led by its president Dileep Pandita and also called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today.
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