Srinagar, Aug 11 (KNO): At a time when the Jammu and Kashmir government’s tourism department is putting emphasis on the promotion of tourism destinations in Kashmir, locals, and tourists have rued lack of basic facilities at Yousmarg in Budgam.
Locals and tourists told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that there is no immediate health facility, ATM service and mobile connectivity in at the place.
“The place often remains cut off from the rest of the valley as the area witnesses heavy snowfall during the winters. But with the arrival of summers visitors start thronging the place but due to the least minimum facilities majority of the people prefer not to come to this place”, said Rayees Ahmad, local.
A visitor who had come from Maharashtra said that although they were fascinated by the beauty, they could not go horse riding because they were not carrying cash.
“We prefer online payment but upon reaching here we found that there was no mobile connectivity and no ATM where we could withdraw money. One remains cut off from the rest of the world”, he said.
Another local Abdul Gani said that the place lacks health facilities causing immense hardships to both locals as well as visitors in case of medical emergency.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yousmarg Development Authority Bilal Khursheed told KNO that they have already taken up these issues with the district administration and that the work on the installation of the mobile tower by BSNL is going on.
With mobile network connectivity, ATM facilities too will come up in the area, he added.
“The developmental part is an ongoing process, and we are hopeful of witnessing these facilities soon,” he said—(KNO)