Not much time has passed when Jhajjar Kotli used to be one of the most favourite destinations of the picnickers, especially those belonging to Jammu City and areas falling in its periphery because of close proximity of this wayside spot having the desirable vibe, facilities and natural bounties, which the Jammuites wanted during excursions, school picnics and family outings.
The Tourism Department park which was well maintained throughout the year, water stream with crystal clear water adjacent to park, forest department bungalow, Tourist Department huts, restaurant and a liquor bar, small but resourceful shops providing all the amenities to tourists besides a huge Banyan tree providing cool shade during summer, were some of the assets of this wonderful tourist destination, which used to attract hundreds of visitors including some unscrupulous elements also, as complaints regarding broken beer bottles were also a common sight during the golden days of Jhajjar Kotli.
The big question now is that despite all the things being present there, why have the tourists stopped flocking? As the tourists stopped visiting the place, the tourism department instead of wooing them back has sadly abandoned the place with many of the assets left on the mercy of God as the entire place is in dismal shape today and except people who love to visit ‘places minus people’ because they want secluded places for drinking alcohol or doing some other not so good activities, no other visitor prefer to head towards this place. The aforesaid park which once was filled with laughter and smiles of children, youngsters, middle aged, grannies and grandpas has now become a ‘no man’s land’.
Although some reports published in the print media in the past have put the tourism department in the dock over this matter but the fact is that the construction of four lane highway ‘jinxed’ this beautiful picnic spot as the new and elevated bridge that replaced the older one had acted as a ‘plaque’ for the splendid park and the stream making people to forget it once and for all as the earlier bridge used to act as marketing tool for this place by showing its beauty to each and every passerby of the highway.
The ‘sin’ by the Tourist Department in letting this place lose its sheen and pristine glory was taking things very lightly and doing nothing to tell the population passing on the newly build four lane highway about the legacy and charm of this place, which was beloved of many in the 1970s, 80s, 90s and even later days.
In this case, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should intervene and before promising stars and moon to people with regard to developing new tourist spots in Jammu region, the ‘young and dynamic’ leader should take steps to rejuvenate this picnic destination which is presently marred with lackluster and is badly gasping for breath of life.
The Tourism Department park which was well maintained throughout the year, water stream with crystal clear water adjacent to park, forest department bungalow, Tourist Department huts, restaurant and a liquor bar, small but resourceful shops providing all the amenities to tourists besides a huge Banyan tree providing cool shade during summer, were some of the assets of this wonderful tourist destination, which used to attract hundreds of visitors including some unscrupulous elements also, as complaints regarding broken beer bottles were also a common sight during the golden days of Jhajjar Kotli.
The big question now is that despite all the things being present there, why have the tourists stopped flocking? As the tourists stopped visiting the place, the tourism department instead of wooing them back has sadly abandoned the place with many of the assets left on the mercy of God as the entire place is in dismal shape today and except people who love to visit ‘places minus people’ because they want secluded places for drinking alcohol or doing some other not so good activities, no other visitor prefer to head towards this place. The aforesaid park which once was filled with laughter and smiles of children, youngsters, middle aged, grannies and grandpas has now become a ‘no man’s land’.
Although some reports published in the print media in the past have put the tourism department in the dock over this matter but the fact is that the construction of four lane highway ‘jinxed’ this beautiful picnic spot as the new and elevated bridge that replaced the older one had acted as a ‘plaque’ for the splendid park and the stream making people to forget it once and for all as the earlier bridge used to act as marketing tool for this place by showing its beauty to each and every passerby of the highway.
The ‘sin’ by the Tourist Department in letting this place lose its sheen and pristine glory was taking things very lightly and doing nothing to tell the population passing on the newly build four lane highway about the legacy and charm of this place, which was beloved of many in the 1970s, 80s, 90s and even later days.
In this case, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should intervene and before promising stars and moon to people with regard to developing new tourist spots in Jammu region, the ‘young and dynamic’ leader should take steps to rejuvenate this picnic destination which is presently marred with lackluster and is badly gasping for breath of life.
