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.

Shopian, Jul 12: Patients in south Kashmir’s Shopian district say they are increasingly being forced to seek treatment at private clinics or travel to other districts due to the non-availability of key specialists at the District Hospital Shopian (DHS), raising concerns over access to affordable healthcare.

The hospital lacks specialists such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists and urologists, while expensive diagnostic equipment, including an echocardiography (Echo) machine, remains unused due to the shortage of trained personnel to operate it. Officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the hospital is currently short of 10 doctors and 48 paramedical staff, severely affecting the delivery of specialised healthcare services.

The healthcare facility was upgraded to district hospital status after Shopian was carved out as a separate district in 2008. It caters to the healthcare needs of more than 2.5 lakh residents from the district and adjoining areas.

“Patients have no option but to visit private clinics, which have mushroomed across the district because crucial specialists are unavailable at the district hospital,” said Javed Ahmad, a resident. “Those who cannot afford private treatment are the worst affected.”

Residents said that despite the hospital’s upgraded status, the shortage of specialist doctors and technical staff has persisted for years, forcing patients to travel to Srinagar or Anantnag for consultations and advanced treatment.

“This not only increases out-of-pocket expenditure but also delays timely medical care, particularly for elderly patients and those suffering from chronic illnesses,” said MithaGatoo, a civil society member.

Gatoo said the hospital’s echocardiography machine has remained largely unused because there are no trained specialists or technicians available to operate it.

“The authorities install diagnostic machines without ensuring that specialists or trained technicians are posted to run them. Equipment worth lakhs of rupees is lying idle while patients continue to suffer,” he said.

He said the civil society had approached the higher authorities on several occasions, urging them to fill vacant posts and strengthen specialist services at the hospital, but little had changed.

Gatoo also expressed concern over the growing burden of lifestyle diseases in Kashmir, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), saying the absence of a gastroenterologist at the district hospital often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment.

“Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is on the rise in Kashmir. Early diagnosis is critical, but patients have to wait or travel outside the district because there is no gastroenterologist available here. That delay can prove costly,” he said.

He said the district also urgently requires a full-time cardiologist, noting that cardiovascular diseases are increasingly affecting younger people.

“We have seen several young patients suffer fatal heart attacks. A cardiologist at the district hospital could make a significant difference by ensuring timely diagnosis and emergency intervention,” he added.

Ashiq Hussain, another resident, said the absence of specialist care has fuelled the rapid expansion of private clinics in the district, leaving many families with little choice but to spend heavily on healthcare.

“When specialist services are unavailable in a government hospital, people are compelled to seek treatment in the private sector. For poor families, these expenses become an unbearable burden,” he said.

An official at the District Hospital Shopian, speaking on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged the staffing crisis.

“The hospital is facing a shortage of 10 doctors and 48 paramedical staff. We have repeatedly conveyed the matter to the higher authorities and hope the vacant posts will be filled soon so that services can be strengthened,” the official said.

Residents and civil society members have urged the government to fill vacant posts, deploy specialist doctors and trained technicians, and ensure that existing diagnostic equipment is put to use so patients can access quality healthcare closer to home.

Sonamarg, Jul 12: Flashfloods caused by intense spell of rainfall on Sunday occured in Lashpathri area of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.

The flashfloods caused heavy flow of water in a nearby stream which washed away a portion of road in the Lashpathri area here. Locals said that the flashfloods damaged a portion of the road and affected the connectivity in the area.

They said the road leads to the place where several tourist huts are located.

The affected people appealed to the Sonamarg Development Authority to deploy a JCB to clear debris from the stream and restore access.