Inept handling of tourist spots keeps visitors away

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 26

Though many tourist spots were thrown opened for tourists in the holy city, inept handling of some of these fail to attract tourists.

Snatching incidents targeting tourists remain unchecked by police

Besides, rampant snatchings of belongings of tourists has also become a cause of concern for all sections associated with the hospitality industry.

Manager of one of the oldest and leading hotels in the city, Piyush Kapoor, said, “tourists, being a vulnerable group, is being repeatedly targeted and they must be provided security. However, promised tourist police has never been deployed”, he said.

APS Chatha, president, Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHARA), said on an average, four snatching incidents were taking place in which tourists fall prey to snatchers, while the police have squarely failed to protect them.

He said a large number of thefts involving tourists goes unreported as they did not file complaints with the police to avoid further legal hassles.

Ambitious Urban Haat, commonly known as food court, inspired by Lahore’s famous food street, has not been functioning smoothly. Its promise to provide an Amritsari kulcha, lassi, tea with jaggery, the famous Amritsari fish and vegetarian delicacies to visitors even during night hours remained unmet.

A tour and travel company operator, Deepak Dhawan, said, the parking lot of Urban Haat has been opened for outsiders also. Earlier, it was strictly meant for its visitors.

The project of PUDA, set up in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), is yet to be made operational. Though it was briefly utilised to host an exhibition last year, its normal operation is still awaited.

As per the plan, Urban Haat will have 15 modular and desi food joints, including Ahuja’s Lassi, Sharma’s Vegetarian Dhaba, Bubby’s Chicken and Fish and Amritsari Tandoori Kulcha. International food chains would include Café Coffee Day, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s and these will be operational after the tendering process is complete. The Amritsar Development Authority has kept the monthly rent for stalls between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.

The government and its agencies concerned have failed to popularise and showcase Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama to the tourists visiting the city.

While the much talked about amphibious bus was pressed in for tourists at the famous wetland at Hari Ke Pattan in the adjoining Tarn Taran district, about 35 km from here, a few months ago, the government could not take tourists there.