Srinagar, March 15: The Save Sharda Committee (SSC) Kashmir Saturday expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for announcing the construction of a Yatri Niwas at the Sharda Temple in Teetwal, located along the Line of Control (LoC).
The Chief Minister made this announcement in the Assembly in response to a query raised by Javed Mirchal, MLA Karnah. Additionally, he confirmed the establishment of a cafeteria and emphasised the promotion of border tourism through home stays in the Karnah region.
In a statement issued here, Ravinder Pandita, Head and Founder of the SSC, welcomed the announcement but raised concerns regarding the management of the Yatri Niwas. “Once the Yatri Niwas is completed, it should be handed over to our committee for management and operation,” he asserted.
Pandita highlighted that the Sharda Temple and a Sikh Gurdwara in Teetwal were constructed and are currently managed by the Save Sharda Committee, with Ajaz Ahmad serving as a local coordinator. He urged the Tourism Department to allocate funds for the renovation and upgrading of home stays in the region to accommodate the increasing number of visitors. “Last year, more than 10,000 pilgrims and tourists visited the Sharda Temple at Teetwal, underscoring the urgent need for additional accommodation facilities,” Pandita stated. He further noted that approximately 31 home stays have been identified for visitors between Bag Bella and Teetwal, and called for government support in enhancing these facilities to cater to the growing influx of pilgrims and tourists.
