Lead story: Pathankot, from opulence of three Ts to apathy

From the pre-Independence days till the 1990s, the once scenic city of Pathankot had gained fame for its prosperity and affluence. It was the envy of other towns of the state. Businesses in timber, transport and tourism thrived. These were addressed as the three Ts of the town. People used to wear opulence on their sleeves. Driving the latest model of cars had become a fad. Trips with children to Srinagar were common. The rags-to-riches stories are so many that it is difficult to keep track of them. They proved that even coming from small cities, the biggest dreams are possible. The city had a soul of its own, a culture of its own.

However, the Jalandhar-Pathankot-Jammu National Highway built a few years ago punctured the economy of the city and also weaned away the tourists. The 70 odd hotels, which used to do good business throughout the year, suddenly fell on bad days. Earlier, tourists would spend a few days in the city before they moved to the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh and J&K. The new National Highway ensured that the tourists drove straight to these states and to Vaishno Devi shrine without touching the town. The sixth most populous town of Punjab is virtually on its knees.

With a paucity of facilities, the city refuses to develop. Residents who earlier preferred to spend their twilight years in the city, are no longer interested in coming. They prefer the cool climes of HP and J&K. The government’s apathy has meant that all the three Ts have virtually been wiped off the map. The seven railway crossings on the Joginder Nagar-Pathankot narrow gauge line are another reason why the economy is in the doldrums. These days, because the Chakki railway bridge is being reconstructed following which the toy train does not operate on the route, the railway ‘fataks’ do not close. This means traffic jams are virtually absent.

However, this is a temporary phenomenon and one day the Chakki bridge will reopen and the toy train will start running again. Once this happens, the rail crossings will again start shutting down. These ‘fataks’ shut down for nearly a dozen times every day because of which the city remains divided into two parts for long periods of time. Businesses get hit and traffic jams are a normal occurrence. This development has reduced the city’s significance.

The hospitality business has also turned inhospitable. “About two decades ago, when the new National Highway was yet to come up, the hotel business had experienced a boom. I used to buy the latest car every six months. My children studied in the best of schools in the neighbouring hills. Now, things have changed. We are struggling for survival,” said a renowned hotelier.

Most travel agents have closed shop. However, those who are still in the business say the tourism potential of the world-famous hidden caves, also called the Mukteshwar Dham, located in the Ranjit Sagar Lake, has not been tapped fully. Earlier, tourists from foreign countries visited the caves. Now, even the domestic ones are missing. Picnic spots like Shahpur Kandi, a semi-hilly area, Madhopur and Parian-Wala-Bagh, have lost their relevance because of an assortment of factors.

The parking problem is adding to the city’s woes. The city has no traffic lights following which vehicles seldom follow rules. Hundreds of e-rickshaws, both legal and illegal, which have flooded the roads, drive haphazardly and are the cause of accidents. The common refrain among residents is to “restore human legs as a means of alternate travel”.

Till the mid-seventies, the town bustled with activity. The Delhi-Pathankot railway line was yet to be extended till Jammu. This, in essence, meant tourists used to spend a lot of time before they embarked on onward buses for J&K and HP. So much so, old-timers say the shop-keepers on the Railway Road never downed their shutters. These shops used to remain open for 24 hours a day to cater to the customers. The Pathankot-Jammu rail track came into existence in 1975.

All is not lost. If the MC manages some resources and develops parking spaces, things can improve. Transport officials reveal that nearly one lakh vehicles, including those of the Army, pass through the town daily. In an emergency, and this includes the passage of a VIP cavalcade, ambulances and fire tenders get stuck in traffic.

Not many know that Pathankot was going to Pakistan when the demarcation was taking place. The initial plan of the demarcation committee was to place Pathankot, which was a part of Gurdaspur district at that time, in Pakistan and instead give Shakargarh district to India. However, the committee members did not find this feasible from several angles and finally it was decided to give Pathankot to India.

The city is best known for its litchi-growing abilities. Its soil supports cultivation of this fruit. This type of cultivation financially helps local farmers. This fruit is exported to other countries besides other states. Farmers are happy with its productivity and profitability.

wuw