Dooru-Verinag Master Plan receives public ire, civil society demands changes

Anantnag:

To press the state government for brining major changes in the proposed Dooru-Verinag master plan, a complete shutdown was observed in Verinag town of South Kashmir, said reports.

They said that business establishments including shops remained closed during the day while as thick traffic played on the roads in the town. Local civil society group Greater Verinag Development organization took out a protest march in the town demanding changes in the proposed town.

Locals told Early Times that they demand inclusion of scenic Kapran valley into the master plan. “If they are really interested in booting the tourism sector of the town then they must include places like Sarbal, Gagan midan, Baj Pathri, Halsidar Fethy Mundo, Bumsin Koot, Ring Mandoo Maal, Her Gawad and must develop them so that the town can attract more and more tourist destination.” said, a local Youth Mohd Rafiq.

Greater Verinag Development organization President Mushtaq Ahmad on the occasion while addressing a protest rally said that government was bound to take the suggestions of civil society before framing the master plan. “Our first and foremost demand is to change the nomenclature of the master plan from Dooru-Verinag master plan to Verinag Master Plan.” Mushtaq Ahmad told the gathering.

He said that it was most annoying that the government always ties Dooru with Verinag besides that fact that in 1971 Dooru was granted Tehsil Status and the town houses almost all the government offices.

“Dooru is a separate town and has all the basic facilities so Verinag must be left alone.” He said

Mushtaq demanded construction of Reception at Hiler Railway Station, road connectivity of the town with Qazigund via Sadiwara, Installtion of Cable car from Beacon Headquarter to Nagwan Top in first phase and Nagwan Top to Old tunnel in second Phase, area under occupation of Police and security forces at Yatri Niwas be evacuated and handed over to Tourism Department, Development of Eco-Tourism, a wild life sanctuary in Verinag -Kapran Forests.

Civil society group also demanded Up-gradation of Desa road from Kapran to Desa which connect Kashmir to Jammu division.

Civil society group urged Local MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is Tourism Minister of the state to resolve the grievances of public and reframe the Master Plan with the inclusion of genuine public demands.