Srinagar, Mar 28: The Minister of Tourism, on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the dockyard for Houseboats at Pokhribal in Nigeen.
 Pertinently it was the consistent demand of houseboat owners for past over three decades to set up a dockyard for undertaking repairs of the houseboats. The Government had earlier this laid foundation stone of first dockyard at the Western Foreshore Road.
 On the occasion, the Minister said the government was committed to save the houseboats. “Realizing the importance of houseboats we sanctioned two dockyards to facilitate their repairs. But at the same time, the houseboats owners have to give good services to the tourists as stakeholders. If we receive complaints of cheating from tourists, we will not desist from taking stringent action against the offenders,” said the Minister who was flanked by Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Sogami and Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah.
 The chairman of Houseboats Owners Association, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo thanked the Tourism department particularly the Tourism Minister for providing the dockyard. He also expressed gratitude to the Tourism minister for setting up a counter at the Srinagar International Airport for houseboat owners and collaborating with the Thomas Cook.
 “We should be provided timber at subsidized rates for undertaking repairs of houseboats. My community faces many problem to carry on their business. The houseboats in river Jhelum are without kitchens. They should be provided hygienic kitchens and given plots,” he said.
Wangnoo also demanded comprehensive rehabilitation program for houseboat owners of Chuntkul.
“They should be permanently rehabilitated,” he demanded.
The Tourism minister assured to look into the grievances.
Earlier, Sogami who is also the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, said there the condition of the Dal had improved a lot during the past six months.
“But realignment of houseboats was important for conservation of the lake. The houseboat owners have to cooperate with us and help us to restore the lake’s glory,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST