JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, along with former ministers Yogesh Sawhney and Yash Pal Kundal, visited the Bagh-e-Bhau pilgrim tourism circuit on September 25, expressing deep concern over its deteriorating condition.
The network of sites from Balidaan Stambh to Har ki Poudi, including the Harbal garden and Bahu Fort temple, has suffered significant neglect, the leaders asserted. They placed the blame squarely on the BJP-led government, which they claim has failed to maintain this vital tourist project for over a decade.
Bhalla articulated his deep concern regarding the dismal state of the entire circuit, which has been neglected since Congress completed its development before 2014. The integrity of the roads linking Balidaan Stambh with Har ki Poudi, Harbal Garden, and Shahbad Colony is now in question, severely impacting both tourists and local residents.
“The BJP has completely disregarded this pilgrim-tourist circuit in the past eleven years, leading to extensive damage, particularly after recent rains and floods,” Bhalla emphasized, demanding immediate repairs and restorations.
The officials at the helm have failed to fulfill their responsibilities toward the pilgrims and tourists, which has resulted in a significant decline in the tourist experience in Jammu city. Bhalla stated that the current government has neglected ongoing maintenance, repairs, and necessary upgrades.
Senior Congress leaders criticized the BJP for making false promises about beautifying Jammu and boosting tourism. They lamented the shattered trust, asserting that BJP’s claims of development and progress were unraveled in the wake of recent weather-related crises.
“Jammu has suffered immensely on every front under the BJP,” they said, calling the state of affairs an “utter failure” on the part of the ruling party. The leaders also emphasized that man-made disasters have compounded the challenges faced by the local populace, further exacerbating the overall tourism experience.
Among those accompanying Bhalla during this critical visit were senior Congress members Diwan Chand, Latish Sharma, Mangat Ram, Dinesh Dadwal, Sahil Shavotra, Bittu Shavotra, Kundan Dalotra, Arun Dadwal, Sanjeev Kattal, and others. Each leader voiced their frustration over the lack of attention to this vital tourist destination.
Bhalla concluded his statement by reiterating the urgent need for the government to take responsibility and rectify the issues encumbering the beloved tourist circuit. The neglect of such vital projects not only affects tourism but also the cultural and spiritual identity of Jammu.
