*Snowfall in Gulmarg attracts tourists
Gopal Sharma
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 8: While Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road have been closed due to heavy snowfall last night and the movement of passenger vehicles restricted after snowfall at Jawahar Tunnel, the Kashmir’s winter wonderland Gulmarg is witnessing a gain in tourist footfalls following two major snowfalls in a month, giving a fresh lease of life to the region’s tourism industry that was hit hard by twin lockdowns since August last year.
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Official sources told the Excelsior that with heavy snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and Poshana area between Poonch and Shopian last night, the historic Mughal Road was closed for traffic this morning. Over a score of vehicles said to have been stranded at various places en route. It was raining in Rajouri-Poonch area since morning and snowfall at the higher reaches of Pir Panchal was going on. Even fresh snowfall was reported from some higher reaches of Budhal- Rajouri, Reasi, Doda and Kishtwar belt. The temperature in Jammu area has declined and the entire region has been in the grip of cold wave. Due to snow accumulation, Srinagar-Leh Road was closed for vehicular traffic.
Jawahar Tunnel connecting Kashmir with Jammu was witnessing snow and rains throughout the day but the National Highway was open. Reports from Ramban said that due to rain, fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions, the Traffic police authorities restricted the movement of passenger vehicles for precautionary measures. The movement of heavy vehicles was, however, being allowed till late this evening. With the rain and snowfall the power supply to many hilly areas has been snapped, the reports said.
Meanwhile, reports from Kashmir said that while higher reaches received snowfall, rains lashed plains. Gulmarg had 1.6 feet of fresh snowfall, Baba Reshi 6 inches and Tangmarg 3 inches and the snowfall in the hills was going on. Shopian town had one inch of snow, Heerpora 7 inches, Kellar in Shopian one inch, Aharbal in Kulgam 2 inches and Pahalgam one inch.
The tourist arrivals in Gulmarg and Srinagar have raised hopes of a revival of tourism in the region where tourist-related activities were missing because of the two back-to-back lockdowns since August last year. First, the Government-imposed lockdown after it annulled the Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and then for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The increase in the footfalls has cherished hoteliers of the hill station as most of them were out of work for last one year. “The tourists starting coming after the first snowfall on 27th November. I am running with approximately 40 percent occupancy and expecting to reach 70 percent by next month. These are promising signs for our tourism,” a hotelier said, adding that some people were still holding back due to COVID-19.
He said that the hotels were following the COVID protocols including temperature checks at the time of check-in, sanitizing luggage and rooms, use of masks, and other steps. “Likewise, restricted gatherings in the restaurants are allowed as complying with the COVID-19 guidelines is the precondition of every inquiry. “The first question of a tourist inquiry is about the precautionary measures being taken in the hotel. So we properly follow them to keep everybody safe,” he said.
With the restoration of tourist activities in the Gulmarg, staff and ponywallas are gradually returning to their jobs. Arif Ahmad, a pony walla, who has been sitting at home for the past year, said that the tourist arrivals have brought smiles to hundreds of families who were suffering for lack of livelihood. “We depend on it. The tourists mean livelihood for us. We were facing tough times due to lack of tourist activity here,” he said.
The tourists were seen enjoying the snowfall. Some tourists were enjoying the sledge rides, while others were absorbed in snow fighting. “I have never seen such a sight. I want to leave everything and live here in Gulmarg. This is a paradise on earth,” Shahnawaz Ahmad, a tourist from Mumbai, said, continuing that everybody should come here for a lifetime experience.
Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority, Inamul Haq said that the arrival of tourist was an encouraging sign and they would ensure all the facilities to them. “Gulmarg is the hub of winter tourism. The first snowfall has brought us a good number of tourists and we are expecting more to come,” he said, adding that they have also kick-started a winter sports festival to attract more tourists.
The weatherman said that there would be decrease in the precipitation in Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday. However, there is a possibility of another spell of widespread rains and snowfall on Saturday, he added.
Authorities urged commuters to avoid journey on Jammu-Srinagar highway in wake of the weather forecast for widespread rain and snowfall. “In view of inclement weather prediction (rain and snowfall) issued by MeT department in J&K for next few days, there are chances of blockade of the highway. People are advised to avoid journey,” an official of the traffic department said.
However, the official said that subject to fair weather and better road condition, Light Motor Vehicles shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu on the highway. “People are advised to undertake journey on the highway only after confirming status of the road from Traffic control units.”
Meanwhile, in Kargil heavy snowfall has been witnessed since last night due to which the strategic NH 1D connecting Ladakh to Kashmir and NH 301 Connecting Kargil to Zanskar has been closed for traffic.
Reports said Menamarg has recorded more than 10 inches snow and is still experiencing heavy snowfall. This has put the whole district to hibernation for more than Six month as the whole district will remains cut-off for maximum six months.
Meanwhile the Kargil- Leh road is still open for traffic despite of snowfall on the Highway. For the whole winter season the only connectivity for this border district is AN- 32 courier service which is dependent on the mood of the weather and runs according to the weather conditions.
This hibernation of the people of Kargil will end if the long pending demand of a tunnel at Zojila pass becomes true, on which blasting work has been started, or only after starting of proper commercial Air Service as Kargil has a well built Airport equipped with state of art technology.
Due to the snowfall the temperature in Kargil dipped to -12 degree Celsius which is the lowest of this season and according to the Metrology department the temperature will decrease more in the coming days.
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