Budgam, Aug 27 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Charar-i-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather has called for the early reopening of tourist destination Yousmarg in Budgam, saying thousands of people associated with the tourism sector depend on the destination for their livelihood.
Talking to reporters at Nagbal, Rather, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that local stakeholders, including horse owners, hotel operators, tea vendors and others, are dependent on tourism activity in Yousmarg and are facing difficulties due to its closure.
The MLA said he had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam and urged him to visit Yousmarg and assess the situation. He expressed hope that the destination would be opened within the next few days.
The Speaker said he is aware of the internet and ATM-related issues at Yousmarg and is actively pursuing their resolution. "The internet connectivity is expected to be restored soon, while efforts are also underway to make an ATM facility operational at the tourist destination," he said.
Rather said he had earlier taken up the internet issue with BSNL officials and would follow up on the matter to ensure early restoration of the service. Regarding the ATM facility, he said he had personally taken up the matter with the concerned bank authorities and expressed hope that an ATM would be made operational at Yousmarg soon.
The MLA reiterated that efforts are being made to address the basic infrastructure issues at Yousmarg and facilitate the reopening of the destination, which he said is vital for the livelihoods of local tourism-dependent communities—(KNO)