Jammu, Sept 25: Congress Working President Raman Bhalla, along with former ministers Yogesh Sawhney and Yash Pal Kundal, visited the Bagh-e-Bhau pilgrim-tourist circuit, highlighting severe issues related to road connectivity and maintenance.
During their visit, the leaders expressed deep concern over the neglect of this vital tourist route, which connects Balidaan Stambh, Har ki Poudi, Harbal Garden, and Shahbad Colony. Bhalla blamed the BJP-led government for the deterioration of infrastructure over the past decade.
“The pilgrimage route is in shambles due to 11 years of negligence by the BJP. The latest monsoon rains have only worsened the conditions, which require immediate repairs and restoration,” Bhalla stated. The Congress leaders highlighted that the infrastructure was conceived and developed during the Congress regime before 2014, indicating that the current state reflects on the lack of maintenance and management.
Bhalla criticized the authorities for their failure to provide adequate maintenance, stating, “The government has neglected its responsibility to offer basic amenities to local residents and tourists. The current state of the circuit is an embarrassment for Jammu city.”
He underscored the BJP’s repetitive rhetoric of beautifying Jammu and promoting tourism, asserting that these promises have proven to be hollow. The inability of the government to manage this tourist circuit, coupled with recent natural disasters, has exposed the shortcomings of the BJP leadership.
Further highlighting the impact of the deteriorating conditions, Bhalla pointed out that flooding and damages from recent weather events have compounded existing faults in the infrastructure, making urgent action necessary to restore the pilgrim-tourist circuit to a usable state.
Bhalla stated, “The BJP’s towering claims about development in Jammu and related promises have crumbled against the reality. The people of Jammu are suffering due to the government’s inability to act during critical times.”
Other leaders accompanying Bhalla, including Diwan Chand, Latish Sharma, Mangat Ram, Dinesh Dadwal, Sahil Shavotra, and Arun Dadwal, echoed the sentiments. They emphasized the BJP’s failure on various fronts, criticizing the party’s approach to governance and infrastructure development.
The Congress leaders urged local authorities to prioritize the refurbishment of the tourist circuit and called for a comprehensive plan to revitalize pilgrim tourism as a means to support both local populations and boost the economy.
As tourist destinations like Bagh-e-Bhau continue to suffer from neglect, the need for robust infrastructure and timely maintenance has become increasingly urgent for the future of Jammu’s tourism sector.
