George Everest House residents oppose installation of gate

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 1

Residents of George Everest House, a famous tourist destination in Mussoorie, are opposing the installation of a gate by the Tourism Department to block the road leading to their houses. They have demanded removal of the gate to reopen the way soon.

Members of the Samajik Nyay Kriti Manch, in a letter written to the Dehradun District Magistrate said the Tourism Department had installed a gate at George Everest House thus blocking the way of several residents, mainly belonging to the Dalit community and causing inconvenience to them.

They said poor residents, namely Tehcku Mall and others, run a food stall (dhaba) at the tourist destination here. Some residents also visit their fields to sow crop.

They added the Tourism Department was harassing the residents to allegedly benefit a company that had been leased out George Everest House for adventure tourism activities. It was planning to run a helicopter service for tourists. They demanded immediate removal of the gate or else they would launch an agitation.

Tourism Department adventure sports officer Sushil Nautiyal said a portion of George Everest House had been leased out to Rajas Sports Company for consulting adventure sports activities and the gate had been erected to secure the place from anti-social elements. The resident opposing the erection of the gate had no stakes in it as their way was from other side, thus no hindrance for them, he said.

Nautiyal said the Tourism Department was planning a museum at George Everest House by renovating the whole area and introducing other entertainment activities there.