Srinagar, Oct 09 (KNS): Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Friday said that Doodpathri and Tosamaidan in Budgam district would be developed as independent tourist destinations where Gujjar huts would be used to cater essential services for the tourists.
According to a KNS correspondent, Mufti, who is also leader of House, while replying to a question asked by the leader of the Opposition Omar Abdullah on developing Tosamaidan as tourist destination and preparing DPR on it, said that Tosamaidan and Doodhpathri have huge potential and they would be developed as independent tourist destinations.
Omar Abdullah asked the government that how much time it (government) would take to develop Doodpathri as it was only after the hectic efforts that Army vacated from the Tosamaidaan in 2015.
He said that Tosamaidaan needs to bring on the tourist map so that its potential would not go waste.
Omar, who represents Beerwah constituency of Budgam district, said Tosamaidaan is a beautiful place but the roads there were in pathetic condition. “I want the government’s assurance on two things: How much time government will take to prepare DPR and develop roads at Tosamaidaan,” he said.
While replying to it, Mufti said that it was true that only after hectic efforts the Army vacated the Tosamaidaan. “The place is very beautiful and will be developed as independent tourist destination,” he said.
Mufti said that government soon would prepare DPR on Doodpathri and Tosamaidan and would develop both as independent tourist destinations.
“I want to assure that these places will be brought on the tourist map. We will make roadmap as both the places are accessible and one can reach there in only one hour from Srinagar,” he said.
CM said that nomads putting up in these areas would be involved in the tourism related activity as stakeholders for which financial support would be also provided to them. “Gujjars will be part of tourism activity,” he said.
“Roads in the area are in bad condition. But as there are no enough resources for the government so we will develop these places under public- private partnership where we will also develop Gujjar Kothas for catering the essential services,” he said.
Mufti said that to Gujjar huts in these areas would be developed to provide essential facilities to the tourist which would not only provide livelihood sources to the nomads but also would not affect the environment.
Legislator Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen who represents Khansahab constituency, asked the government to pass direction to the employees to stay at Doodhpathri offices instead at Budgam Headquarters.
“There is TRC and DDA office in Doodpathri but officials do not stay there but work from Budgam which halts the development of the Doodpathri,” he said. (KNS)