Defunct Government Rest House at Khag Need Urgent Renovation: Locals

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NEWS AGENCY KASHMIR NEWS TRUST #KNT

Khag, Sep 14, KNT: Government rest house belonging to the Irrigation and Forest departments at Khag in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district is reportedly lying in a neglected and deteriorated condition, with locals urging the administration to undertake its immediate renovation and restore the facilities for visitors to the scenic region.

The Irrigation Department rest house located around Narannag, Khag, was constructed as a government accommodation facility and had previously been used by VVIPs, VIPs, tourists and foreign visitors travelling to the area. Locals said the facility has remained without adequate maintenance for a considerable period and now requires substantial repairs and restoration.

Locals said a Forest Department guest house in the area is also in poor condition and requires necessary renovation, arguing that restoration of the existing government infrastructure could strengthen the tourism facilities available in Khag and its surrounding areas.

Speaking to KNT, senior citizen Ghulam Hassan Malik urged the concerned ministers and the administration to take immediate measures for the restoration of the two government facilities.

Malik also called for the opening and planned development of Tosamaidan as a major tourist destination, saying the area requires dedicated administrative attention. He urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to consider appointing a separate Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Tosamaidan, pointing out that the CEO of Doodhpathri is presently looking after the area.

According to Malik, the required building infrastructure is already available at Sutharan in Khag and could be utilized for the proposed administrative setup.

“Khag is the gateway to Tosamaidan,” Malik said, stressing the area’s importance in any broader plan for tourism development in the region.

He also said a proposal concerning Kustwan Park is presently pending with the Forest Department for the required No Objection Certificate (NOC). Malik described Kustwan as a scenic location near Khag and said its development could add another attraction to the area’s tourism circuit.

Locals said Khag, surrounded by forests and mountainous terrain, has considerable potential for tourism but that existing infrastructure needs to be maintained and upgraded to support increased visitor activity.

They urged the administration and concerned departments to assess the condition of the rest houses, initiate necessary repairs and take up pending tourism-related proposals so that the region’s existing infrastructure and natural attractions can be better utilized. [KNT]