Srinagar, Apr 07: Kokernag has just one private hotel and four guest houses registered with the Department of Tourism, while Verinag has two hotels and 88 registered guest houses, the government said in response to a question raised in the Assembly.
In addition to hotels and guest houses (including paying guest houses), the government said 71 homestays in Kokernag and 13 in Verinag are also registered with the Tourism Department.
MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir had asked an unstarred question in the Assembly regarding the infrastructure facilities available at tourist destinations like Verinag and Kokernag.
In a written reply, the Minister in charge of Tourism said the department has undertaken several projects to develop tourism infrastructure in both Verinag and Kokernag. He said these efforts are aimed at boosting tourism in the region.
“At Kokernag, facilities such as a Health Club, Tourist Office, Tourist Police Post, Public Convenience, Single and Double Bedroom Huts, Adventure Hut, Cafeterias, Coffee House, Viewing Decks, 20-room Budgeted Accommodation, and a Tourist Reception Centre have been developed,” the government said.
In Verinag, the minister said that infrastructure like a Tourist Facilitation Centre, Single and Double Bedroom Huts, Public Conveniences, Cafeteria, Tourist Reception Centre, Tourist Information Centre, Dormitory, and Car Parking/Light Motor Vehicle Parking has already been created.
When asked whether there is any plan to formulate a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Cable Car Project from Verinag to the Old Tunnel (B-Top), the government responded, “The installation of a Cable Car Project from Verinag to the Old Tunnel is not under active consideration of the department at present.”
The Tourism Department further said that during the financial year 2024–25, several developmental works have been undertaken, amounting to approximately Rs 397 lakh at Verinag and Rs 203.39 lakh at Kokernag, for infrastructure development at these tourist destinations.
