Jhajhar Kotli: Picnickers first choice needs an immediate revamp
Jammu, May 29: Jhajhar Kotli, the first and the natural choice for the picnickers of Jammu has been lost somewhere and seems to have been abandoned by the people at the helm of affairs little caring that this was a place where every Jammuite would think of whenever he or she wanted to have some relaxing moments.
While the neglect started much earlier the new four lane national highway dealt the final death blow to this hugely popular picnic spots by putting it under the carper literally as the road just zooms over the spot without a trace of any picnic spot in the vicinity.
The tourism department has already damaged the spot by closing the only JKTDC run cafeteria and stopping the maintenance of the adjoining parks.
The four lane road that is now over the sky through newly built flyover has left the place in utter neglect with a few eateries also abandoning the area.
Talk to any Jammuite young or old, vivid memories of the picnics to the place either through school, college or individual come to their minds with everybody cursing the authorities for ruining one of the best picnic spots of the Jammu city.
However due to gross neglect by the tourism and local authorities the best picnic spot of Jammu has been spoiled and now it has been turned into a hub of drunkards, gamblers and anti-social activities with people hardly visiting the place due to absence of eateries, facilities and worst condition of the road particularly leading to the river below.
The spot in its hay days used to be picnickers paradise with hordes of people visiting the place during summers to beat the heat and relax in the serene environs.
The place needs immediate attention of the new government particularly tourism department which can revamp it to make it a popular tourist spot of national level as now it can be developed exclusively with no unnecessary rush of the vehicles.
The spot needs the entire infrastructure a fresh besides maintenance as well as good approach roads and effective policing with proper sign boards at the top on four lane road for the coming tourists to Kashmir.
The spot can be a picnickers’ paradise if developed properly and included into the package tour along with other places of tourists interest in Jammu.
Jhajjar Kotli thus personifies a perfect place for a serene and relaxed vacation experience and is apt for those looking for an escape from a rushed and hectic scheduled lifestyle. This is an apt spot to experience a stress-free and tension-free life amidst a tranquil environ surrounded by a green belt of forest lands and water bodies to spend that much needed relaxing weekend getaway.
Jhajjar Kotli is one of the rare calm and quiet tourist sites in Jammu that provides any visitor with a great scope to peacefully enjoy an unforgettable company amidst the lap of pristine natural beauty and sheer delight.
Situated about 35 Kms on the National Highway (now below the flyover) leading towards Srinagar in Kashmir, this small Tourist Site was constructed on the riverbanks of Jhajjar rivulet that cascades through the valleys of this enchanting state of Jammu & Kashmir filled with crystal clear, soothing water that often attracts a large crowd of tourists and locals to its scenic picnic spots especially during the summer seasons.
The spot has the potential to become one of the best tourist destinations of Jammu particularly for domestic tourists and if proper infrastructure is developed even tourists from national level can also opt it as a staying option which is calmer than the Patnitop due to its serene beauty and exclusive rivulet and adjoining forests.
The need is only to revamp it once again and promote it as a major tourist destination of Jammu region to revive this spot once again. (With inputs from various sources)