Fresh snowfall promises to give boost to Patnitop, Batote hotels

RK Kichlu

Batote, January 24

With a fresh snowfall on January 22, the hoteliers at Patnitop, Kud and Batote are expecting an increased occupancy at the weekend with a public holiday on Monday, January 26.

Hoteliers have been receiving inquiries from visitors across the state and various other parts of the country for bookings after the news of fresh snowfall in the area.

However, the hoteliers are seeking cooperation from the Traffic Police to make the weekend fruitful.

Following the snowfall near the Jwahar Tunnel in Banihal and Patnitop on Wednesday evening, the traffic authorities had closed the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in anticipation of the heavy snowfall and resultant slippery conditions.

The authorities did not allow any vehicle to move beyond Udhampur on Thursday despite the road being cleared of snow at Patnitop by 8 am. The stretch between Patnitop and Ramban remained clear as there was no snowfall on the road link.

“As usual, our hopes of having a good business on January 22 were dashed when the national highway was closed for the day. The overcautious traffic authorities in order to save their skin didn’t allow any vehicle to move beyond Udhampur till afternoon,” said Lovenesh Rai Sathe, president of the Patnitop Hotel Association.

“Soon after the snowfall we started receiving inquiries about the bookings for the weekend, but the tourism can never flourish here (Patnitop) unless the agencies concerned clear the snow at Patnitop and the authorities regulate the traffic with as much zeal as they show at Gulmarg,” he added.