Despite extension in curbs, Sadda Pind to remain open

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, March 30

With popular tourists’ spots in city, including Partition Museum, Gobindgarh Fort and Jallianwala Bagh shut for tourists till April 10, Sadda Pind, a theme park popular with local as well as international tourists continue to remain open providing limited scope for tourism.

The fresh guidelines issued in the wake of second wave of Covid in state, all museums and memorials in the city have been closed. But the order doesn’t count for other tourists’ spots, including Sadda Pind, which is the only non-religious tourist site among the ones to be lucky enough.

Ish Gambhir, director, Sadda Pind, said the theme park is open to visitors but with caution. “Since there is another expected wave of Covid-19, we are exercising all necessary precautions and following SOPs. After reopening, the theme park has been getting a visitor footfall of 40-50 per cent as compared to its previous numbers.” He added that another lockdown or shutting of tourist places will spell doom for the industry. “Tourism industry had been badly hit and pushed to the edge during the lockdown. Functioning with caution is the only way ahead and we can only hope that the shutdown doesn’t extend beyond its necessity, as revival of tourism industry depends on it.” The place is currently functioning with 80 per cent staff capacity.

The state government on Tuesday extended the curbs till April 10, including shutting down of schools, colleges and a few popular tourist venues. Meanwhile, with other tourist spots being shut, including Wagah border and Pul Kanjri, the religious places, including famous gurdwaras have picked up tourists’ interests.