Srinagar, Dec 31: While the celebrations of New Year are scheduled at multiple places in Jammu & Kashmir, the twin picturesque tourist destinations including Gulmarg and Pahalgam are running short of accommodations as all the hotels and homestays are jam-packed.
Officials told the INS that nearly 10,000 people are expected to participate in the celebrations of New Year in Gulmarg while a similar number of visitors would enthrall at Pahalgam.
“We have received reports that almost all the hotels are jam-packed. Not even a single room of any hotel is available at present,” officials said.
However, the visitors complained of overpricing by the hoteliers, shopkeepers and other traders, saying that the general public is being fleeced as per the wishes and whims.
“We had to pay almost double the amount to get the accommodation in a single room for five persons. It seems the people have been let loose to fleece the visitors,” the local visitors said.
Pertinently, the tourism department is all set to host a mega New Year celebration in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg to ring in 2024 with grandeur.
The department has roped in the local celebrities of Kashmir to enthral tourists and locals in all these three picturesque designations. In Gulmarg, which is the spotlight for New Year celebrations, Kashmiri celebrated singers Aabha Hanjura, Adil Gurezi and Afaq Shafi are going to perform at the Golf Course.
“The department of tourism has invited me to the beautiful valley of Kashmir. I will be performing with my band on 31st of December to celebrate New Year with all of you,” said Aabha Hanjura in a promotional video.
