Latest news with #Phukan
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Power min walks down Jhalukpara Road to address traffic woes
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: In a rare display of hands-on governance, state power minister and Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan took to the streets on Monday evening, walking along the congested Jhalukpara Road to appeal to the public against unauthorised parking. The move comes amid growing frustration over severe traffic jams in one of the town's busiest commercial hubs. Jhalukpara Road, formerly known as Talkie House Road, serves as a crucial link between Mancotta Road and Dibrugarh's main market in the heart of the city. Stretching just 400 metres, the narrow street is lined with two prominent Tibetan markets, numerous clothing stores, electronics shops, hotels, restaurants and eateries, making it a hotspot for shoppers. However, rampant illegal parking — primarily of two-wheelers — has turned the stretch into a nightmare for commuters, with gridlocks persisting throughout the day. "This road is the lifeline of Dibrugarh's market area, but illegal parking is choking it. Citizens have to face unnecessary delays and inconvenience due to unauthorised parking. Today, I decided to walk this road myself to understand the ground reality and appeal directly to our people to be more responsible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Now Available in Lagos - See Prices! Shipping Container Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo We must respect traffic rules and park only in designated zones to ensure smooth movement for everyone. I request all citizens to cooperate with our efforts to decongest this vital road," Phukan told reporters. Residents, while appreciating the minister's personal intervention, said the lack of adequate parking infrastructure and poor compliance with traffic rules has been creating a persistent bottleneck on the busy thoroughfare. "The situation has become so bad that even emergency vehicles struggle to pass through during peak hours. It's good that the minister is concerned, but unless more parking spaces are created, people will keep parking illegally. We appreciate the minister's personal intervention, but we need a long-term solution to deal with the problem," said Rajesh Sharma, a shop owner. The minister during his visit also directed the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC) to increase vigilance and penalise violators. Phukan assured that the administration is exploring long-term solutions, including expanding parking facilities and improving road discipline. "The DMC has marked no-parking zones clearly. Those ignoring the rules will face fines. We are also in talks with stakeholders to find a sustainable fix. Meanwhile, public cooperation is essential," he said.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
Travel operators fear losses amid drop in J&K tours
Guwahati: Attack on tourists in Pahalgam town of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday has cast a shadow over the businesses of travel operators . They claim that they had only recently begun to see growing interest in tours bound for Kashmir. City-based travel operators reported that Kashmir had become a popular destination in recent years. However, they now fear that the recent attack might lead to a sharp decline in business. Bitupan Borah, a city-based travel operator, highlighted rising costs, stating that soaring demand had driven airfares and hotel rates to unprecedented levels. He said operators often prepay for hotels, transport, or activities, many of which are non-refundable. Consequently, cancellations not only impact their clients but also result in significant financial losses for the operators, who earn commissions from bookings. If trips are cancelled, their income is directly affected. "The cost of flight tickets from Guwahati to Srinagar typically ranges from approximately Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on factors such as the airline's quality and the timing of booking. Additionally, staying in three- to four-star hotels can cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000. As travel agents, we typically earn a commission of around 5-6% on these bookings, which is not much," Borah said. Yuvraj Phukan, another city-based travel operator, remarked on the growing interest among tourists from northeastern states in visiting Kashmir. Over the past three to four years, he observed a steady rise in travellers from the region choosing Kashmir as their holiday destination. "J&K has long been a popular tourist destination and has seen a consistent increase in footfall in recent years, especially during April and May, which mark the peak of the spring season. One major attraction during this period is the Tulip Garden Festival in Srinagar, which is near Pahalgam. The festival draws thousands of visitors eager to witness Asia's largest tulip garden in full bloom. However, after this incident, we expect a significant decline in visitors for a considerable time," Phukan said. He also pointed out that tourists are often drawn to destinations such as Dal Lake, Vaishno Devi, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg for their scenic beauty. Recounting a recent experience, Phukan revealed that while he had successfully managed three tour groups, the fourth group — comprising tourists from Arunachal Pradesh — was near Pahalgam when the incident occurred. Gripped by fear, the tourists decided to cut their trip short and return home. However, with no immediate flights available and limited accommodation options far from the area, they were forced to take shelter overnight at their driver's house in Srinagar. Travel operators confirmed that they typically manage four to five tour groups per month, but this number increases significantly during peak periods. Despite growing interest in the region, enthusiastic tourists are now being turned away due to recent events.
