All three Youth Hostels situated in Jammu and Kashmir are currently non-operational, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The hostels, located in Srinagar, Patnitop in Udhampur district, and Nagrota in Jammu district, have been deemed non-functional.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, provided this update in a written response to an unstarred question posed by Member of Parliament Neeraj Shekhar. The Ministry stated that across the country, 85 Youth Hostels have been established, with operational statuses varying among them.
The Ministry’s response further detailed that the construction of a new Youth Hostel in Kota, Rajasthan, was completed in February of the current year. Additionally, the government has provided financial assistance for the repair, renovation, and upgradation of 22 Youth Hostels nationwide since the 2021-22 financial year. However, none of the Youth Hostels in Jammu and Kashmir were included in this list of facilities that received funds for such works over the past five years and the ongoing financial year.
A survey conducted by the Ministry indicated that functional Youth Hostels across India have experienced an average occupancy rate exceeding 53 percent over the last three years and the current year. During this period, these facilities have also been utilized for organizing over 3,500 youth-oriented programs. The non-functional status of the Jammu and Kashmir hostels raises questions about the availability of accommodation and facilities for youth engagement and tourism in the Union Territory.
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports oversees the development and maintenance of Youth Hostels across India, aimed at providing affordable accommodation to young travelers and facilitating various youth programs. These facilities are often strategically located in tourist destinations or educational hubs to encourage inter-state travel and cultural exchange among young individuals. The current state of the three hostels in Jammu and Kashmir, as reported to the Rajya Sabha, suggests a significant gap in such provisions within the region.
The development and upkeep of such infrastructure are crucial for promoting tourism and providing essential services to the youth. The absence of operational facilities in Srinagar, Patnitop, and Nagrota may impact travel plans for young visitors and hinder the execution of youth-centric events. The Ministry’s response did not specify the reasons for the non-operational status of these particular hostels or outline any immediate plans for their revival or renovation.
The report comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is focusing on boosting its tourism sector and creating opportunities for its youth. Access to affordable and well-maintained accommodation like Youth Hostels can play a vital role in supporting these objectives. The lack of operational facilities in these key locations could potentially deter young travelers, including students and backpackers, from visiting the region.
Further details regarding the specific issues affecting the operational status of the hostels in Srinagar, Patnitop, and Nagrota, and any proposed remedial actions, remain undisclosed in the initial parliamentary response. The Ministry’s broader data on national Youth Hostel occupancy rates highlights the potential demand for such facilities when they are functional.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
