Ensure adequate basic facilities for winter tourist destinations in Kashmir valley: AAP

Jammu, Nov 10: AamAadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday called for providing all kinds of basic facilities at tourist destinations having winter tourism potentials so that winter tourism can be promoted in Kashmir valley.
In a press statement the state spokesperson of AamAadmi Party, Reyaz Majid said that tourism is the basic unit of economy of Kashmir valley and a huge population of valley depends on tourism for their livelihood.
Upliftment of the tourism industry in Kashmir is a prerequisite for the development of society as the development of the tourism industry will boost scope of earning for people but successive governments have not taken adequate measures in this regard.
He said that besides routine tourism potentials, a number of areas in Jammu and Kashmir are having a vast potential of winter tourism but, unfortunately, this potential has not been tapped properly except in Gulmarg.
Endorsing the demand made by hoteliers of Sonamarg, the AAP spokesperson said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government is planning to boost winter tourism in Sonamarg but the Government should first of all ensure that all required basic facilities required for winter tourism are provided at the tourist site.
“There should be uninterrupted electricity, proper heating arrangements, clearance of roads, winter medical aid so that whosoever visits the area do not face hardship,” said Majid.
He added that Sonamarg has a vast scope of winter tourism and the need of the hour is tapping this potential through proper planning.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Government should make it sure that their decision for keeping Sonamarg open for tourists in winter doesn’t turn a claim on papers but a proper plan is devised to ensure proper arrangements,” said Reyaz Majid.
Regarding electricity, the AAP spokesperson said that it is a basic need in human life and importance of electricity increases multi-fold in areas like Kashmir which witness severe winter conditions and ill-planning on the part of Government causes electricity deficit issues hampering normal life and Government should take proper measures to ensure a proper electricity mechanism and uninterrupted electricity.