Baramulla, June 23 : The District Magistrate of Baramulla has imposed restrictions on the movement of tourists and vehicles along the Qazipora-Ziran-Batoo-Mulbangil-Hajibal axis of Gulmarg, citing lack of basic infrastructure and safety concerns for visitors.
The order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, follows a recommendation from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, who reported a significant rise in tourist footfall to these interior villages during the ongoing cherry and strawberry harvesting season.
Official sources said the areas, though scenic, fall outside the notified and developed tourist circuits and do not have the requisite facilities, which could pose challenges for both tourists and emergency response agencies in case of any untoward incident.
“These areas, being of natural beauty, fall outside the notified tourist circuits and lack the requisite infrastructure at this juncture, which may become challenging for tourists and responding agencies,” the order stated.
As per the directives, no tourist vehicles shall be allowed to ply on the specified route without prior permission from the police. Hotel and guest house owners, tour operators, and other service providers have also been barred from facilitating visits to the area without day-to-day clearance from the concerned magistrate and the Station House Officer.
The administration has warned that any deviation or non-compliance with the order will invite action under relevant provisions of law. (KNS)
