Jammu, September 25: Raman Bhalla, Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), led a team of Congress leaders on a site visit to the neglected pilgrim-tourist circuit from Balidaan Stambh to Bagh-e-Bahu. The visit included notable figures such as former ministers Yogesh Sawhney and Yash Pal Kundal, who expressed grave concern about the deteriorating conditions of the circuit.
During the visit, Bhalla pointed fingers at the BJP-led government, which he accused of neglecting this vital tourism infrastructure for over a decade. He specifically highlighted the dilapidated state of the roads connecting major attractions like the Har ki Poudi and Harbal Garden.
According to Bhalla, the Congress government had originally conceived and completed these tourist facilities before 2014, but the current administration has failed to maintain them properly. He stated, “The BJP has completely neglected this pilgrim-tourist circuit for the past 11 years, leading to its current shambles.”
The recent heavy rainfall and floods exacerbated the already poor conditions, causing extensive damage to the infrastructure. Bhalla emphasized the urgent need for immediate repairs and restoration of the circuit. “This is a vital project for Jammu city, crucial for both pilgrims and tourists,” he added.
Concerns over the lack of maintenance were echoed throughout the visit. Bhalla lamented that the government had not undertaken regular upkeep, allowing conditions to worsen significantly over the years. The local population and visiting pilgrims have faced great inconvenience due to this negligence.
Moreover, Bhalla and his team took aim at the BJP’s promises regarding the beautification of Jammu and its commitment to promoting tourism. “The BJP made bold claims about developing our tourist spots, but none of them materialized. Their approach has proven to be a complete failure,” Bhalla asserted.
He pointed out that the deterioration of important infrastructure like the Bagh-e-Bahu temple not only affects tourism but also reflects poorly on the government’s operational capabilities. “Residents vote for development, but the reality has been utterly disappointing,” said Bhalla.
Other Congress leaders accompanying the group included Diwan Chand, Latish Sharma, Mangat Ram, and Dinesh Dadwal, among others, all of whom voiced their solidarity with Bhalla in condemning the government’s failings.
The leadership’s unified stance comes at a critical time as the state navigates the aftermath of severe floods that ravaged parts of Jammu. Their rallying call for action aims not only to restore the physical state of the tourist circuit but also to reclaim the promises of progress and development that the public expects from their elected officials.
