Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Apr, 26
Taking serious note of continuous neglect of Jammu tourism All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) has blamed the governments of the time for their utter failure to revive the tourism industry in Jammu. Addressing the members, the chairman AJHLA Mr Inderjeet Khajuria held the Kashmir centric governments of the time responsible for lacking will to develop Jammu tourism as against Kashmir, which is the main reason that Jammu could not become an independent tourism destination, despite lapse of more than seven decades and still remains the age old ‘Mandron Ka Shehar’ (City of temples). Soon after taking over on March 15, 2015 former Chief Minister Late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had accorded top priority to develop Jammu as independent tourism destination but he failed to do so and till now the situation remain the same. It was Late Mr Mufti who had inflicted stigma on the Jammu dream project the Artificial Lake Project on Tawi river as not tenable, despite the project was completed more than 80% by the erstwhile outgoing government.
The project started during 2010 was to be accomplished during 2013 but the change of guards has rendered the project in shambles even today despite being 80% complete could be commissioned within two months. Most of the mega projects like Tawi River front, Gandola connecting Peerkho, Bahu Fort & Mohmaya Mandir, Jambu Zoo at Manda Deer Park, Modernization of General Bust Stand and border tourism Suchetgarh are yet to see light of the day in Jammu. Gandola project though completed awaits commissioning but is being deliberately delayed on lame excuses as if to deprive Jammuites of this tourism project.
Water bodies Mansar, Suriansar and Sannasar lack conservation plans and facing serious threat due to lack of funds flow.
Speaking on the poor tourist influx in Jammu, president AJHLA Mr Pawan Gupta castigated the tourism department for lack of publicity and other attractions for the tourist and yatries in Jammu and around. Even the stake holders engaged in promotion of tourism in Jammu since years are being ignored in the mission on Jammu tourism development.
Recently the tourism department celebrated Baiskahi festival and there was no active involvement of the stakeholders.
Government had recently expunged Jammu tourism from social media App and Director Tourism was forced to refer all social posts to Kashmir media.
There was strong resentment from all corners for this deliberate attempt to neglect the Jammu tourism. Matter regarding Jammu publicity at state, national and international level has already been contested due to its neglect in particular.
Regarding the hotel industry, the rate of occupancy is at its lowest ebb due to very poor tourist influx. Managing the affairs, upkeep and renovation has become very difficult and establishments are facing closure in certain cases. The darbar move on April 27 will further reduce occupancy as the hotel rooms occupied by the move employees shall also be vacated. Jammu tourism at every stage right from tea-vendor, dhaba wala, dry-fruit merchant, shawl emporium and other tourism related dependents are on the verge of starvation. Even the amnesty declared by the central government on power tariff on hotel/resort is not being extended further during 2019-20.
President appealed the Governor and its administration to immediate take the cognizance of the problems being faced by the tourism related traders particularly hoteliers besides immediate directions should be given the concerned authorities to commission all the tourism related projects which are still languishing for completion.