Srinagar, Jul 02 (KNO): The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Tuesday asked school heads to avoid visiting Gulmarg on Saturdays and Sundays and suggested applying for permission at least one week prior to the excursions.
In this regard, Gulmarg Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in a communiqué to DSEK said that it shall issue necessary directions and advisory to schools of Kashmir division to avoid visiting Gulmarg on Saturdays and Sundays due to heavy rush.
“It is submitted that in view of huge rush of locals and tourist on weekends, all private and government schools of Kashmir division be directed to plan their excursion on week days, rather than Saturday and Sunday, for their own convenience and that of the local authorities,” it reads.
The Gulmarg CEO also said, “Due to limited carrying capacity and parking spaces available at Gulmarg accommodating a huge number of school buses becomes impossible and the school buses are sometimes found parked on greens, which is a matter of concern a punishable act.”
The officers further said that the number of buses may also be limited to less than four per school as many schools coming for excursion have a huge fleet of buses which becomes difficult to manage and leads to traffic jams and congestion of the parking spaces.
“Moreover, it is also requested that necessary advisory be issued to the school for ensuring proper cleanliness and avoid littering on the greens which is a punishable offense,” it reads.
The communiqué reads, “The heads of schools planning their excursion in Gulmarg be directed to apply for permission at least one week prior to the excursion and the permission of GDA shall be mandatory for any school visiting Gulmarg for excursion.”—(KNO)