Srinagar, Mar 6: The tour agents from various states have urged the authorities to set up a Helpline for the tourists in the Valley. The operators said when the tourists get stranded due to highway closure or face other difficulties, the Helpline could provide them necessary assistance and help. A group of operators led by Vijay Naik of Mumbai told Greater Kashmir that the authorities did not provide any assistance or facilities to the tourists who were stranded in the Valley due to highway closure.
 “The tourists come to Kashmir with limited money. However their nightmare starts after the closure of the Highway due to snowfall. The problem is compounded by huge price hikes. The government does not provide them with any assistance and they are left in lurch,” Naik said.
 He said in absence of any official support, a hotelier Manzoor Ahmad of York Group of Hotels provided free accommodation to a group of 50 tourists.
  “We are thankful to him but it is disgusting that not a single government official came to our rescue. We appeal the Tourism Minister of J & K to establish a Helpline for providing assistance to stranded tourists,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST