Srinagar, July 6: PDP has expressed grave concern over the mismanagement of Amarnath Yatra by the state government.
In a statement today the PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar said the state government has converted a positive development on tourist front into a nightmare both for pilgrims and the local population.
He said because of the relative peaceful conditions in the valley a huge rush of pilgrims should have been anticipated and appropriate measures put in place to regulate the flow. In fact the stipulation by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board that all intending pilgrims be registered and that no unregistered pilgrims would be allowed beyond Jammu has been flouted openly.
The state government, he said, is witnessing the chaos on roads and important yatra centres like Jammu, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, as a mute spectator.
The Highway is of course, the worst victim of government inefficiency, he said.
The PDP spokesman said it was extremely worrying that the Shiv Lingam at the Amarnath cave had melted at an accelerated pace because of the unchecked inflow of devotees. While this was a disappointment for thousands of pilgrims who are waiting for their turn to have a darshan, the untimely melting is an indicator of the huge environmental cost inflicted on the state. He said the highly fragile eco-zone of Kashmir Himalayas has an impact beyond the state and it is for the state government to ensure that the lead taken by the Governor and the SASB in preventing unregistered yatris was effectively implemented on ground. He said the huge infrastructure deficit in Kashmir is symbolized by the chaos not just on Pahalgam and Sonamarg roads but even the airport link in Srinagar which is usually blocked for long hours because of the traffic mess.
He said the flyover at Hyderpora has become a potential death trap especially in late evenings. The flyover has been under construction for more than 5-years and missed according to governments own announcements as many as seven target dates of completion.
He said the inability of the government to complete this comparatively small over bridge is an indication of the complete paralysis of administration and considering that R& B department is under the direct control of the Chief Minister, the extremely tardy pace of execution of this important over bridge is a matter of  "shame for the government."

Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST