The Patnitop Hotel & Restaurant Association (PHRA) has brought to the attention of the Jammu and Kashmir administration serious infrastructure and disaster-management shortcomings at the popular hill resort of Patnitop, which became evident during the recent spell of heavy snowfall between January 23 and January 29.
A delegation of the Association, led by its President, Lovnesh Rao Sathe, and accompanied by Gaurav Gupta, BJP Spokesperson and Convener, International Affairs, called on the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the difficulties faced by tourists, hoteliers, and local stakeholders during the extreme weather event.
According to the Association, prolonged snowfall severely disrupted road connectivity, electricity supply, water availability, and emergency response mechanisms in the area. Several tourists were reportedly stranded for hours due to delayed snow clearance, while hotels struggled with inconsistent power supply and limited communication facilities.
The delegation highlighted that despite Patnitop being one of Jammu region’s premier tourist destinations, the existing infrastructure remains ill-equipped to handle heavy snowfall and peak tourist inflow simultaneously. They stressed that such gaps not only inconvenience visitors but also harm the credibility of the destination and affect the livelihood of local businesses dependent on tourism.
The memorandum underscored the urgent need for a robust snowfall management and disaster preparedness plan, including the timely deployment of snow-clearance machinery, strengthening of power infrastructure, the establishment of emergency help desks, and improved coordination among departments during adverse weather conditions.
The Association also sought long-term measures such as upgrading internal roads, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply through alternative arrangements, and developing a dedicated winter tourism management framework for Patnitop. They emphasized that proactive planning is essential to promote Patnitop as a reliable all-season tourist destination.
Members of the delegation reiterated their commitment to supporting the administration in enhancing tourist facilities and maintaining safety standards. They expressed hope that the Lieutenant Governor’s intervention would lead to concrete steps to address the concerns raised and prevent recurrence of similar issues in the future.
The Lieutenant Governor, according to sources, assured the delegation that their concerns would be examined seriously and conveyed to the relevant departments for necessary action.
Patnitop, known for its scenic beauty and winter tourism appeal, witnesses a significant influx of visitors during snowfall. Stakeholders believe that addressing infrastructural and disaster-management gaps is crucial not only for visitor safety but also for sustaining tourism-led economic growth in the region.
