SRINAGAR: In view of the continued closure of Valley’s surface and air link with the rest of the country, the houseboats and hotels have opened their properties for the stranded passengers. They are offering 50 percent rebate to the tourists, who were to leave the Valley in the last four days, but got stuck due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway and the suspension of air traffic at Srinagar airport.
Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association President Abdul Hamid Wangnoo told this newspaper that the houseboat owners have opened up their houseboats for the tourists stranded due to suspension of Valley’s surface and air link with the rest of the country.
Due to heavy snowfall since Sunday, Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only link road connecting Kashmir with rest of the country, remained closed for fourth consecutive day today while the flights at Srinagar airport also remained suspended since Sunday. The tourists had thronged the Valley to celebrate the new year at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg.
“We have provided our helpline Nos and made some of our houseboats at Nageen and Dal Lake available to stranded tourists free of cost,” Wagnoo said. He said the tourists who had already booked the houseboats, but were supposed to check out in the last four days have been told to continue their stay in the houseboats.“We will be giving them up to 50 percent rebate. And in case, somebody does not have money to pay the bill, he/she does not need to worry,” Wagnoo said.