Hotel owners in Gagangir, near tourist resort Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, are grappling with persistent power outages that have severely hit their business. The hoteliers have expressed concerns over their inability to accept bookings, especially during the crucial winter season, when the influx of tourists usually peaks.
One of the hotel owners, Muhammad Ramzan told the news agency that power to Gagangir hotels was previously supplied from the Gagangir Receiving Station via the Sonamarg feeder. However, this arrangement was discontinued in May this year for reasons that remain unclear. The disruption in power supply has left the hotels unable to operate efficiently, forcing tourists to seek accommodations elsewhere.
The lack of electricity has not only hurt the tourism sector but also affected the livelihoods of scores of people employed in these establishments.
Pertinently, hotels in Gagangir experience a surge in bookings during snowfall, with tourists drawn to the area’s serene beauty. The current situation, however, has brought these operations to a standstill.
The hotel owners have appealed to MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali, urging him to intervene and ensure the restoration of power supply via the Sonamarg feeder. They said that such a step would not only revive their businesses but also improve the experience for tourists visiting the area.
