SRINAGAR: The Tourism Department has directed tea stall owners operating in various locations of Doodhpathri to relocate their businesses to a single designated area near the toll post.
The decision has sparked protests from the stall owners, who argue that the move threatens their livelihoods.
“We were supporting our families by selling tea and Kashmiri roti without causing any harm to the environment. Relocating us to a single site will make it difficult for us to sustain,” a protesting vendor said.
The vendors also claimed that no prior evacuation notice was issued to them and urged the administration to reconsider its decision to resolve their grievances.
However, CEO Doodhpathri, Riyaz Ahmad, defended the move, citing irregularities in the operations of the stall owners.
“Many families were engaging in multiple trades such as horse riding, ATV rentals, and tea selling, which was unfair to others. The department is working to implement a ‘one family, one trade’ policy to ensure fairness,” he said.
Ahmad further assured that a meeting with the service providers will be held to address their concerns. He added that the newly allocated site near the toll post provides ample space for the vendors to continue their businesses.
The department emphasized that unauthorized stalls will no longer be permitted to ensure a better experience for tourists and sustainable resource management. (KNO)
