The pious land of clan-deities, Mansar–Surinsar, where people throng to offer obeisance to their clan deities besides being popular tourist destinations of Jammu Division, have become the victim of negligence by the apathetic authorities.
On one side the people at helm often bat for promoting tourism in Jammu region but on the other, their attitude towards the scenic spots like Mansar and Surinsar is unconcerned and phlegmatic, which can simply be gauged by the fact that the road leading to these famous picnic spots is in shambles and the concerned authorities seem not to be in a hurry to repair the same to facilitate the tourists and devotees who intend to visit these places for satiating their religious as well as tourism-related desires.
Reports have confirmed that the twin lakes in Jammu have been facing total neglect and official apathy as the main road connecting these sites from Sidhra via Bajalta and Aitham has not been properly cleared of the land and mud-slides after the rainy season during July and August this year.
It is unfortunate that travelling on this road has become dangerously adventurous because of the dilapidated condition of the road. This situation has exposed the tall claims made by people sitting at the helm of affairs regarding towing a proactive line in promoting tourism in Jammu region. The road surface has broken at many places up to Mansar and at dozens of places the road has caved in.
A new and growing concern is the visible decline in basic upkeep and sanitation around these lakes, which once reflected the cultural pride of the region. The littered pathways, unattended public conveniences, and lack of regular maintenance have begun to tarnish the natural beauty of these sacred sites. Locals as well as repeated visitors have expressed dismay over the deteriorating cleanliness standards, which not only discourage tourists but also harm the ecological balance of the twin lakes that hold immense mythological and cultural significance for the people of Jammu.
Even at Surinsar, the road along the lake has been damaged. The tiles used on the road have gone down the actual road surface. Some of its portion has been sinking for the last more than two years but neither the Tourism Department nor the R&B authorities have taken cognizance of the matter.
Going by this level of indifference by the authorities, one can guess well on the future of the tourism sector in Jammu province. As the concerned quarters have been showing utter disregard towards these famous tourist destinations, which are not more than 50 kilometers from the winter capital of J&K, one can guess about the condition of tourist destinations which are at a good distance from Jammu and the future of the tourism sector in this part of the Union Territory.
It is the right time that the people at helm should take appropriate steps and ensure that roads leading to tourist destinations should be repaired besides ensuring other amenities to facilitate the visitors as this is a prerequisite for wooing tourists to any place.
