Srinagar: The transporters of Jammu and Kashmir who have faced the brunt of prolonged strikes before the abrogation of article 370 are hopeful that the G20 summit in Srinagar will further boost the economy of Kashmir by witnessing more influx of tourists.
The third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting will be held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC) from May 22 to 24.
Transporters said for the first time in past four decades they have witnessed peace after 2019 that have given them opportunity to earn respectably.
They said with the summit being held in Kashmir, they are hopeful it will give further boost to the economy that will also uplift their trade.
All Kashmir Transporters’ Conference (AKTC) welcomed the G-20 conference in Srinagar and said that the event is set to give a further boost to the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The association also said that the transporters are being harassed and forced to go on strike to sabotage the G-20 event.
Addressing a news conference here, Chairman AKTC, Muhammad Shafi, who was accompanied by other members, welcomed the proposed G20 conference in Srinagar.
He said that the event will promote business in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley, and most importantly, it will increase tourism, which will benefit everyone here.
They hoped that the participating countries who have imposed ban on their citizens visiting JK will assess the situation and lift the ban that shall boost tourist rush.
Earlier KCC&I raised the issue of travel advisory in foreign countries and said that the event should help in putting an end to the advisory.
“The travel advisory is applicable in nearly 50 countries, who control 85% world’s GDP and 75% of population as well, thus the lifting of travel advisory would help us to fight the climate change and other things in every aspect,” he said
Shafi further said that the transporters from Karnah, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam to Kupwara, Anantnag and Srinagar are united and they want to solve every issue in unison. “We will support the government to prevent corruption and we are with every decision of the government,” they added.
He said that the transporters are harassed and forced to go on strike. “This is a conspiracy to sabotage G20, which will be foiled. “The process of fitness of vehicles is being forced to be completed offline. But, one fails to understand why the transporters are not being given the advantage of the online facilities,” he said, adding that on this issue, more action will be taken after the culmination of the G20 event.
