Srinagar Jan 8: With Valley reeling under darkness following a snowfall on Saturday, tourists not usually used to such power outages, are facing huge inconvenience, with many among them planning to leave.
 Tourism traders said although the snowfall was good for the industry as it will enhance winter tourist rush to the Valley, “but the government has let us down as it has not been able to restore the power supply even 48 hours after the snowfall.”
 The traders said the tourists in the Valley have been facing much inconvenience and trouble due to power failure and many among them are planning to leave.
 Greater Kashmir talked to a number of tourists presently in the Valley.
 “I am planning to leave as soon as possible, as there is no electricity,” said a tourist who had recently arrived, adding that earlier he had planned to stay here for a longer period.
 “The height is that both my mobile phone and laptop are not working as they have run out of battery,” he said, adding that being a businessperson, “I have to mail everyday to a number of people.”
 President, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA) Siraj Ahmad told Greater Kashmir: “State government has miserably failed to restore the power supply. Both the common people as well as the tourists are suffering badly.”
 “Before snowfall the government was making tall claims that everything is in order and it was ready to face any emergency. But post-snowfall has exposed the preparedness and alertness of the government,” he said.
 He wondered that a three or four inch snowfall has sent the government mechanism and machinery awry. “What if there had been a few feet snowfall,” Siraj asked.
 Siraj said that throughout the year “we try to promote tourism, but lack of infrastructure and lackadaisical approach of the government make us suffer heavy losses.”
 Tariq Rashid of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK) said: “Mere few inches of snow has created havoc in the valley. State administration is in slumber and even ATMS are not working.  Like locals the tourists are facing tough time.”
 Chairman, Houseboat owners Association (HBOA) said Muhammad Azim Tuman: “Government’s lack of preparedness for emergencies has hit tourism industry, as tourist who are on their visit to this part, are facing problems due to snapping of electricity and further they are not able to connect their families due to the break in communication facilities.”
 Tuman alleged that some kerosene dealers have added water in the k oil. “The heating systems in the houseboats that usually run on kerosene have developed some problems due the use of adulterated fuel.”
 Meanwhile hoteliers from Gulmarg told Greater Kashmir although there is no shortage of power supply as the authorities there have started generators to run Gondola and also electricity is provided to hotels.
 But they said they are facing problems due to shortage of water as most of the water pipes have frozen and it has left the tourists and hoteliers in lurch of the water.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST