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| Hoteliers block NH1-A in protest, allege discrimination with Jammu | | Patnitop observes complete shutdown | |  KUNAL SHRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
PATNITOP, June 27:
The hill resort of Patnitop on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway, which is famous for its unmatched calmness, however, was seething with anger today as the shopkeepers, hoteliers and members of Patnitop Development Association (PDA) observed a day long compete ‘bandh’ and blocked NH1-A in protest against the state government’s ‘indifferent’ attitude towards development of tourist spots in Jammu region.
Alleging gross discrimination with Jammu province in upgrading the tourism sector particularly Patnitop and its peripheries, hundreds of agitating hoteliers, shopkeepers and pony wallahs assembled in front of JKTDC Cafeteria to lodge their protest against government ‘ apathy’.
Amid slogans of “J&K Govt Hai Hai, Hamein Kya Chahiye Insaaf and Hamein Kya Chaiye Gaurikund road Aur Gandola”, the protesters demanded development of tourism infrastructure of Patnitop and other tourist destinations of Jammu at par with Kashmir region.
“ We are holding the protest against the government for neglecting tourism sector in Jammu region…. This government is unconcerned with the problems we are grappling with … We are facing shortage of water, electricity but the government is paying no attention … This government can be termed as heartless … This regime is turning a deaf ear to our demands which can’t be tolerated anymore,” Kushal Magotra, president PDA and Hotel & Restaurant Association, Patnitop, told Early Times
“ The Patnitop Gandola project has been shelved for no valid reasons…. Karlah-Gourikund road project is not being taken up… Why such significant projects conceived for the growth of Jammu tourism have been dumped ?…. This is sheer discrimination with Jammu…. We want an answer from the administration…… Patnitop Development Authority, conceived for development of the area, is also doing nothing to improve the infrastructure.” he added.
The agitated hoteliers and shopkeepers first blocked Patnitop link road for about twenty minutes and then proceeded towards National Highway where they come to the middle of the road and sat on dharna which led to the disruption of traffic movement for at least half an hour on the ever busy Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Due to the blockade, a serpentine row of vehicles on either side of the road soon started to accumulate while the stranded passengers left high and dry due to the traffic jam.
“ We don’t know when would we reach Srinagar-our destination …. Due to the blockade our programme has gone haywire, “Ramneek, a tourist from Gujarat, said.
The protesters lifted their dharna after senior police officers, who reached the spot, persuaded them to end their demonstration.
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