PDA launches drive against hoardings in Pahalgam

SHABIR AHMAD. Dated: 9/25/2012 12:28:48 AM

Hoteliers, shopkeepers allege pick and choose

SRINAGAR, Sep 24: Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has launched a major drive in Pahalgam and its peripheries falling under its jurisdiction against the hoardings installed by the shopkeepers and hoteliers. Sources said that a team of PDA officials headed by the chief executive officer (CEO) from last few days have been removing the hoardings from roads in the town.
“We started the drive against hoardings right from Nunwan and the drive will continue till all the hoardings are removed in entire Pahalgam including the main market. From Nunwan up to nearly hospital we have already removed all the hoardings,” said an official of the PDA.
He said that the hoardings installed by the shopkeepers, hoteliers and other people running the business establishments in the town had marred the beauty of the tourist spot.
Though the first ever drive by the PDA against hoardings in Pahalgam is being hailed by many but some hoteliers allege that the PDA officials apply the pick and chose method while removing the hoardings. “The PDA officials have left many hoardings installed by A-class hoteliers untouched. If they really want to clear the roads and market from the hoardings they should remove all,” said a hotelier wishing anonymity.
When contacted, chief executive officer (CEO), PDA, Qamar Sajad, said, “The drive against the hoardings was one of my priorities as they had badly marred the beauty of the tourist spot. After this, my priority will be to repair and macadamize the roads leading to the peripheries of Pahalgam and drive against the encroachments”. On the allegations of some shopkeepers and hoteliers that the hoardings installed by the A-class hoteliers on the main road are left untouched, CEO said, “These are baseless allegations leveled by the elements with vested interests. You cannot show me even a single hoarding in the area where the drive has been launched. For me A-class and B-class does not matter. My concern is the development of Pahalgam no matter whom it pleases or annoys.”

 

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