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| Shri Amarnath Yatra must become festival of economic prosperity for Jammu along with faith: Shiv Sena | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 4: The Jammu & Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Saturday said that the holy Shri Amarnath Yatra is not only a matter of faith for millions of devotees but also an economic lifeline for both Jammu and Kashmir. State President Manish Sahni said the party welcomes the economic boost the pilgrimage provides to Kashmir's businesses, but the continued neglect of Jammu's trade and commerce is a matter of serious concern.
Sahni said, "If the Amarnath Yatra is providing oxygen to Kashmir's economy, why is Jammu's business community being pushed into the ICU? Jammu's role cannot be confined merely to serving as the departure point for pilgrims."
He alleged that the Jammu administration and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board appear to be more interested in generating revenue through registration fees, the Jammu Darshan bus service and other activities such as the Tawi River Front, rather than strengthening the local economy. Meanwhile, thousands of small traders, hoteliers, taxi and auto operators, street vendors and other local families are being deprived of the economic benefits generated by the Yatra.
Sahni said Shiv Sena (UBT) has consistently demanded that the Jammu Darshan bus service be made completely free of cost for pilgrims, that local traders be given priority in the allotment of stalls, and that Jammu's religious and tourist destinations be promoted extensively. However, these demands have been repeatedly ignored by the authorities.
He demanded that local traders be allotted stalls on a priority basis at the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp and registration centres. The Jammu Darshan bus service should be made entirely free, enabling pilgrims from across the country to visit Jammu's temples and tourist attractions without any additional financial burden while simultaneously boosting the local economy. Pilgrims staying at the base camp should be allowed to visit Jammu city markets without unnecessary restrictions. Attractive promotional hoardings highlighting Jammu's religious and tourist destinations should be installed along major routes, and a comprehensive economic package and policy should be introduced to integrate Jammu's transport sector, hotel industry and small businesses with the Yatra economy.
Sahni asserted that Jammu is not merely the gateway to the Shri Amarnath Yatra-it is the soul of this sacred pilgrimage. If the Yatra generates business worth hundreds of crores of rupees, its benefits must be shared fairly with Jammu's hardworking traders, small businessmen and local families. He added that this great festival of faith will truly be meaningful only when the blessings of Baba Barfani also bring prosperity, employment and economic growth to the markets and people of Jammu. On this occasion Sanjeev Kohli, Raju Kapoor, Sanjay Bhatt, Aditya Mahajan were present. |
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