SRINAGAR: Doodhpathri, a popular tourist destination in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, has seen a record-breaking number of tourists in the last four months, with nearly two lakh people visiting the place. According to available data, there were 35,994 visitors in the first four months of the current year, reflecting a more than five-fold increase to 1,85,620 arrivals this year so far.

The place is fast becoming a winter tourist spot, with December 2021 seeing 4,150 visitors and December 2022 seeing 15,828 tourists visiting the meadow. Nargis Suraya, the Chief Executive Officer of Doodhpathri Development Authority (DDA), said the increase in footfall of visitors during winter months was made possible by keeping the road towards the tourist destination clear of snow.

To attract more tourists to the meadow, tented colonies will be established at two different locations in Doodhpathri. “We will take every single step which will help the destination to become more attractive for locals as well as national and international tourists,” Nargis said. Last year, an initiative to establish a tented colony for night stays was launched and loved by visitors, and as a result, it will be established at two distinct locations very soon.

Nargis anticipates that this year, there will be a surge of more than double what has been seen so far at Doodhpathri. To maintain the cleanliness of the place, both seasonal and casual laborers will be engaged. Three amusement parks are also opening at the location since the number of tourists is already high and expected to increase.

Regarding the location’s network connectivity issue, Nargis said that BSNL has found the site and sought to transfer it from the forest department. “This transfer will take place soon, and a mobile tower will then be installed,” she said.

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