Suchetgarh International Border, Jasrota Fort, Mansar – Surinsar Lakes example of official negligence: Manjit Singh
Jammu,November 16:
Apni Party Provincial President and Former Minister Manjit Singh today expressed serious concern over the deplorable condition of the tourism sector and hotel industry in Jammu region.
In his statement to the press, the Apni Party General Secretary Vikram Malhotra, said that the tourism and hotel industry of Jammu has suffered badly after August 5, 2019 and then, covid-19 lockdown in J&K.
“The package which the Govt had announced seems to have hardly benefited the tourism industries. The authorities concerned have failed to develop tourist spots like Jasrota Fort, Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex, Mansar and Surinder Lakes and other places. These places have instead become glaring examples of official neglect and arrogance of the departments concerned,” said Malhotra.
Malhotra said “The Suchetgarh Road and its development was a crucial part of attracting tourists to the International Border in Jammu district. However, the assurances and plans have never come out of the files which are gathering dust.”
He said that the departments associated with the development of the tourism sector are nothing more than a spectator of the crumbling situation.
Malhotra further said that “Suchetgarh is an attractive destination for the tourists from outside more than the locals. Many outsiders from across the country visit Suchetgarh. However, the approach road from Jammu – RS Pura to Suchetgarh’s zero line in the International Border is in shabby condition.”
Apni Party Provincial President and Former Minister Manjit Singh said “Not all, but most of the portion needs immediate repair work. The Mubarak Mandi complex has taken years for renovation and restoration work which is still not complete and “We do not know how many years it will consume.”
The Former Minister said that there should be a check and balance on the department engaged in the renovation and restoration work of Mubarak Mandi.
“As far as the condition of Surinsar and Mansar Lakes are concerned, both are in bad condition. On the one hand, Mansar has shops, pathways and other things existing for long, but no innovative things have been added to the lake’s beauty. The condition of a heritage building has become a hub for gamblers alongside the pathway of the lake,” said the Former Minister. He demanded its immediate restoration and preservations of the paintings inside it.
The Provincial President Manjit Singh appealed to the Govt for its review on the heritage and tourism spots.
He said that hotels are also not in good condition and there should be consultation with the owners of the hotels in Jammu city and its adjoining areas to ensure the employees and hoteliers should not suffer from the financial situation of J&K due to lack of tourism.
The Former Minister was speaking at a function which was organised by Anil Malhotra where large numbers of people joined the Apni Party at Gandhi Nagar office. This function was attended by Sansar Chand, Vaibhav Mattoo, Janmeet Singh, Pushap Dev Kumar Uppal and others.
Prominent among those who joined the Party included Ajeet Singh Bahu from Gordi in Udhampur, Sheli Bahu, Rakhi Bhagat, Palvi Bhahu, Bimla Devi, Sushma Thakur, Maya Devi, Chuni Parkash, Om Parkash, Majer Singh, Akshay Rathore, Kanav Kumar, Sonu Kumar, Kanav Kumar, Romesh Singh, Shotu Ram, Tarlok Singh, Deepak Kumar, Mahtam Singh, Peeti Kumar, Kartar Chand, Vicky Sharma, Yashpaul Sharma, Vinod Singh, Vicky Kumar Sharma, Gourav Kumar and Ravi Kumar Sharma.
