Despite its breathtaking landscapes and growing appeal among tourists, Yousmarg in central Kashmir’s Budgam district continues to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, with visitors and tourism stakeholders raising concerns over poor mobile connectivity, inadequate road infrastructure and the absence of healthcare facilities.
Nestled amidst sprawling green meadows, dense pine forests and snow-capped mountains, Yousmarg is widely regarded as one of Kashmir’s most scenic tourist destinations. However, locals say the picturesque meadow remains disconnected from essential modern infrastructure, affecting both tourism and the lives of local residents.
For visitors travelling from Srinagar to the tranquil meadow, the transition is not only from a bustling city to a peaceful landscape but also from seamless connectivity to almost complete communication blackout.
In an age where tourists depend heavily on mobile internet for navigation, digital payments, online bookings and staying connected with family members, Yousmarg continues to remain outside the coverage of most private telecom operators.
Tourism stakeholders said the destination is presently served by only a single Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) mobile tower, while private telecom services remain largely unavailable, resulting in poor voice connectivity and unreliable internet services.
The issue has assumed greater significance after Yousmarg reopened to visitors earlier this year. The destination was among the 48 tourist spots that had been temporarily closed following the Pahalgam terror attack as part of precautionary security measures.
Hoteliers, pony handlers, tourist guides, transport operators and shopkeepers said they had expected a revival in tourist arrivals after reopening, but poor infrastructure continues to discourage many visitors.
“Tourists today rely heavily on mobile connectivity for navigation, online transactions and staying in touch with family. Many choose not to visit when they learn the network is unreliable,” said Arshid Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Yousmarg.
He said the lack of dependable mobile services directly impacts local businesses, as most tourists now prefer digital payment modes instead of carrying cash.
“Visitors often face problems while making online payments or confirming hotel bookings. Many business transactions are delayed because mobile networks simply do not function properly here,” he added.
Tour operators said weak telecom connectivity also creates difficulties during emergencies, as tourists are unable to contact family members or seek assistance whenever required.
Apart from mobile connectivity, stakeholders said poor road infrastructure remains another major concern. They said while thousands of tourists visit Yousmarg every year, road connectivity has not improved in proportion to the destination’s growing popularity.
According to locals, better road infrastructure would not only improve accessibility but also encourage more tourists to include Yousmarg in their travel itineraries. The absence of healthcare facilities has emerged as another pressing issue for both residents and visitors.
Stakeholders said there is no functional health facility available at the tourist destination, and any medical emergency requires patients to be shifted several kilometres away to the nearest healthcare institution.
“There is no health centre here. Whenever a tourist, resident or even a nomadic family member falls ill, they have to be transported several kilometres for medical treatment. In emergencies, every minute is crucial,” a local tourism stakeholder said.
Residents said the lack of medical facilities poses a serious risk during the peak tourist season when thousands of visitors arrive daily.
The stakeholders also highlighted the hardships faced by the local population and Gujjar and Bakarwal communities who spend considerable time in the area during the summer months.
They urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to address the longstanding infrastructural deficiencies on priority, saying Yousmarg possesses immense tourism potential but lacks the basic facilities expected at a major tourist destination.
Appealing to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, and the local MLA from Budgam, stakeholders sought immediate intervention for the installation of additional mobile towers by private telecom operators, improvement of road connectivity, establishment of a primary health centre and financial assistance to tourism-related businesses that suffered losses during the prolonged closure of the destination.
“We request the government to improve mobile connectivity, upgrade the road network and establish a health facility at Yousmarg. These are basic requirements for any tourist destination. We also expect compensation for the losses incurred during the months when Yousmarg remained closed,” the stakeholders said.
They said timely intervention would not only improve visitor experience but also strengthen the local economy by generating greater employment opportunities for people dependent on tourism in the area.
