Border tension affects business in Suchetgarh

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Suchetgarh, October 6

Under normal circumstances, dozens of private cars and hired cabs bring tourists to the Suchetgarh octroi post every day to give them a feel of the international border.

But now, with war clouds hovering, infrastructure created by the Tourism Department near the post lies abandoned. Deserted eateries and cafes are a grim reminder of how border conflict hits the economy in Jammu and Kashmir.

For years, successive governments have planned to develop the Suchetgarh post so that it rivals the Wagah border in Punjab.

The plans have never matured due to enmity since 1947 and repeated shelling on the border and LoC whenever India and Pakistan relations hit a low.

Suchetgarh has historical significance ever since Dogra rule was established in Jammu and Kashmir in the mid-18th century. Before Partition, Suchetgarh was an important trading point between Sialkot and Jammu.

Two years after the 2003 ceasefire agreement, the state government had submitted a plan to the Centre to develop it on the pattern of the Wagah border in Amritsar. The project was finally completed in 2014 after years of delay.

Efforts were made by the government to bring the spot on the tourism map to develop infrastructure in border areas and provide economic opportunities to the people.

“Though the government has been talking of border tourism, no local resident takes it seriously. Though guns have not roared, we have seen how bad it gets when shelling begins. If a non-local or tourist ever sees it, he will never return to Jammu and Kashmir,” said Kamlesh Kumar, resident of a forward area.

About Rs 3.2 crore has been spent since 2010 on upgrading infrastructure in Suchetgarh and surrounding areas under a project sanctioned by the Union Tourism Ministry in 2009 to develop Suchetgarh and Baba Chamyal shrine on the Indo-Pak border.

“Our lives will never change till India and Pakistan end the war over Kashmir. We want to live without the daily fear of lurking guns at Pakistani posts pointing at us, but it seems impossible in my lifetime,” said Surjit Singh, a farmer who got married recently.

Under the Central project, a tourist facilitation centre, a terraced garden, landscaping and a walkway had been developed.