Tangmarg: Senior Congress leader Munshi Mukhtar Ahmed Lone has urged the government to immediately take up road macadamization work in key areas of Baramulla district and lift the ban on two popular tourist destinations, warning of severe economic implications for local residents.
Speaking to media in Tangmarg, Lone expressed serious concern over the deteriorated condition of roads connecting Ferozpora, the largest village in the area by population, and the famed tourist destination of Drung. He stressed that the poor condition of these roads was causing immense hardship to both locals and tourists, and called for immediate macadamization work.
He also highlighted the dilapidated state of the Qazipora–Hajibal road, pointing out that potholes have made the stretch difficult to navigate and require urgent patchwork repairs.
In addition to infrastructure issues, Lone strongly objected to the continued closure of Drung and the Sranz Waterfall at Baba Reshi following the recent Pahalgam incident. He said the prolonged ban, imposed on April 22, is causing severe unemployment, especially affecting those who operate ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) rental services, whose vehicles have remained unused and are now rusting.
“The government must lift the ban without further delay. Hundreds of people are dependent on tourism activities in Drung and Sranz Waterfall, and their livelihoods are at stake,” Lone said.
He appealed to the administration to act swiftly to restore tourist access and improve road infrastructure in order to ease public suffering and boost local economic activity.
