J&K seeks cancellation of pre-bookings at Gulmarg for Khelo India players’ stay

In a strange move, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have asked the hoteliers, cottage owners and other accommodation providers at Gulmarg to cancel all pre-bookings in order to make boarding and lodging facilities available to players and officials who would be arriving in the Valley’s premier ski resort at a height of 2,650 metres (8,694 ft) for Khelo India National Winter Games later this month.

“You’re requested to ensure that the boarding and lodging facility is provided to the athletes and officials during the event (being held from February 25 to March 3). Further, all pre-bookings if any on this account may be cancelled,” reads a letter written to sub-divisional magistrate Gulmarg by additional deputy commissioner of Baramulla district. In this connection, the letter refers to a meeting held on January 7 under the chairmanship of Farooq Khan, advisor to J&K Lieutenant Governor, to review the arrangements for the event.

Reacting to it, former chief minister and leader of opposition National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah tweeted, “The games are a welcome addition to our calendar but its mindless application of government writ when the games become a reason to cancel hotel bookings & inconvenience tourists who have booked flights & made their plans well in advance.”

Tanvir Sadiq, who has served as an advisor to Mr Abdullah and is also a former spokesperson of the NC, asked, “What sort of tourism promotion policy is this where the government forces bookings to be cancelled?” He urged the authorities to “spare a thought for those people who booked rooms weeks ago only to be told they aren’t welcome.”

According to an official handout issued after the January 7 meeting, around one thousand players from different parts of the country are expected to participate in various games which include snow skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snow show, snow cycling and other snow-based pastime during the event. It said, “(In order) to provide accommodation facilities to the athletes, VIPs, technical staff, escorting officials and others, the Advisor asked the officials of Tourism department, JK Sports Council, J&K Tourism Development Corporation and Winter Games Association to make the appropriate arrangements for the same at the earliest”.

◗ ACCORDING TO an official handout, around one thousand players from different parts of the country are expected to participate in various games which include snow skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snow show, snow cycling and other snow-based pastime during the event