SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Cabinet Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Tuesday met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate intervention on several long-pending tourism, infrastructure and public welfare issues in Budgam district.
During the meeting held in the morning, Yaseen, according to a party statement issued here, urged the Lieutenant Governor to reopen Tosamaidan, one of Kashmir’s premier adventure tourism destinations, for tourists, trekkers and tour operators. He said reopening the meadow would revive tourism activities and generate employment and economic opportunities for local communities.
He also requested the Lieutenant Governor to allow night halts at Doodhpathri, stating that while the tourist destination has been opened to visitors, restrictions on overnight stays continue to limit its tourism potential.
According to Yaseen, permitting tourists to stay overnight would benefit local stakeholders, tourism service providers and visitors alike.
The PDF president further sought the reopening of the Bugroo–Raithan–Mujpathri–Doodhpathri road, saying the route would improve accessibility to the tourist destination and create livelihood opportunities for people living along the stretch.
Raising a key public grievance, Yaseen also highlighted the long-pending drinking water crisis in Humhama, Budgam, where more than 30,000 residents continue to face acute shortages. He appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to direct the concerned departments to ensure a permanent and reliable solution to the problem.
Describing the issues as being in the larger interest of public welfare, tourism development and economic growth, Yaseen expressed hope that the Lieutenant Governor would give sympathetic consideration to the demands and ensure their early resolution.