Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Aug 16: Sarthal, a famous tourist spot along the Pathankot-Bhaderwah road in Kathua district lacks a mobile network and other basic facilities due to which locals and tourists are suffering.
The residents of the area said that Sarthal, falling in the Bani tehsil of Kathua, witnesses a good rush of locals as well as tourists but they are suffering in the absence of facilities.
Mudasir Ali, a local social activist, said the area has the potential to emerge as a better tourist spot. Even without facilities, hundreds of people visit here, he said.
The place is at the tail end of Kathua and is “no less beautiful than Kashmir”, he said, adding that the government is not paying attention to it.
The main issue, Mudasir said, is the lack of a mobile network. If any untoward incident happens, people are unable to contact their families and emergency departments, he said, adding that there is no mobile network for around 30 kilometres.
The locals from the Bani and adjoining areas said that as of now, there are mostly rocks at the spot. They said the government needs to take immediate steps for its development.
They also urged the government to take steps to provide toilet facilities along the road and night stay facilities so that the tourists visiting there won’t face any kind of difficulty.
“In our area, most people belong to financially weak families and if this spot is developed on modern lines, it will help create livelihood opportunities for us,” said a youth.
The Sarthal residents appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Director Tourism to take a thorough visit of the area and take steps toward the development of this tourist destination.
