No proposal to move Army firing range to Yusmarg: J&K Govt

Jammu and Kashmir Government today said there was no proposal for allowing the use of Yusmarg area in Budgam district for artillery firing range as an alternative to Tosamaidan range.
Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather termed media reports that Yusmarg is being proposed to be leased out to Army for conducting artillery exercises, as "totally baseless and ill-conceived".
"There is no question of replacing Tosamaidan by Yusmarg as firing range. There is no such move from the government," Rather said.
Dispelling all apprehensions in this regard, Rather said Yusmarg is one of the famous tourist resorts of the state where basic tourism infrastructure is being developed at a fast pace.

He said the Yusmarg Development Authority has already initiated several measures to develop tourism infrastructure and added that recently a modern TRC has been inaugurated there for the convenience of the tourists.
The minister said survey is being conducted to construct a cable car project from Yusmarg to Bargah and Yusmarg to Neelnag which will go a long way in promoting tourism activities in the area.

Yusmarg Master Plan is under implementation which does not allow any violation of land use, he added.
He said it seems some vested interests are raking up this issue unnecessarily to play mischief and create confusion among the people.

He has appealed the people of the area not to pay heed to such baseless rumours.
Sections of the local media had reported that the government was planning to shift the Army firing practice range from Tosamaidan to Yusmarg area.