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| Illegal hotels, huts start commercial operations; Tourism department in slumber | | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, May 3: Dozens of hotels and huts that have come up illegally in Yanner area of ecologically fragile Pahalgam resort have started commercial operations without requisite registration certificates from the Tourism Department.
Locals said that at least a dozen influential hoteliers and hut owners are running their establishments without having any registration of the tourism department. "Last year tourism department officials visited the spot and penalized them for operating illegally, however this year no official from the tourism department visited the area," they added.
Locals accused authorities of turning a blind eye towards the issue which is haunting the tourism industry. "Instead of promoting tourism and providing secure environment and accommodation to visiting tourists, department is putting their lives in danger by allowing them to stay in illegally constructed hotels and huts," A local youth Irshad Ahmad said, adding such practice is also responsible for the losses to genuine hoteliers.
A hotelier at Pahalgam said that in case of any untoward incident, tourism department will have to take the blame. "If some untoward incident occurred with a tourist while staying in these illegally constructed hotels, what kind of action will be taken against the hotelier who is running his business without required registration," he questioned.
Locals accused tourism department of having a nexus with the hoteliers functioning illegally. "They get their share so we are not expecting any action from the department." Bashir Ahmad Mir, a Batkoot resident told Early Times.
Tourism Officer at Pahalgam, Tariq Ahmad when contacted said that he will visit the area and impose fine on them if found operating. "Someone has brought this into my notice. In coming days I will visit the area and take action," he added.
Over 150 structures including hotels, huts and guest houses mostly of police officials and bureaucrats have come up at Yaneer almost in the middle of Lidder River during last four years despite the fact that the spot was brought under the ambit of Pahalgam Development Authority.
Although hoteliers have completed construction works in their huts and hotels last year but still many of them are doing interior works despite High Court has imposed blanket ban on constructions in Pahalgam including Yanner. |
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