Uri: Following the ceasefire agreement that brought silence to the Line of Control (LoC), the Indian Army has opened the renowned Kaman AmanSetu Bridge to tourists. Remarkably, this year has seen a record number of 70,000 tourists exploring the area since its reopening.
The Indian Army is now promoting famous areas close to the LoC, such as Kaman Post in the Uri sector of the Baramulla district, as a tourist spot, which, according to official data, records a tourist influx of 70,000 this year so far.
Kaman AmanSetu is a bridge that connects India to Pakistan and was opened for the historic cross-LoCKarawan-e-Aman bus service. This bridge connected divided families from both countries and became a symbol of peace. Now, the Indian Army has opened it for tourists visiting the Valley, aiming to help people living in areas close to the Line of Control.
In some areas, the Indian Army is also assisting people in opening homestays and guest houses. “It’s a great step that the Indian army has opened the Kaman Post for tourists to visit. It will open up local tourism to areas like the Uri sector. Now that the Kaman Post has been opened, we wish that areas like Rustum, which is a beautiful place, should also be opened for tourists. It will benefit the people of Uri a lot, including local shopkeepers, restaurant owners, etc.,” said a local official.
The initiative aims to boost the economy of these areas and help the youth in these bordering villages with jobs and business opportunities. Along with that, it also aims to raise awareness among citizens about the history and sacrifices made by soldiers. Busts of soldiers who laid down their lives in various wars have been erected and are called the ‘Veer Path,’ with the motive to inspire the younger generation.
“The upgrade done by the Indian army is commendable. It just made us so happy to see the Kaman Post. We are locals, and we invite all the country to visit us and learn about the history of this place. The army has also put up the history of all those soldiers who have laid down their lives in various wars at this place,” said the locals.
“Uri stands as a captivating destination for tourists, urging them to explore its beauty now that peace has settled in. The commendable efforts of the government and the Indian Army in promoting the Uri region are noteworthy,” expressed Mohammad Amin, a local resident.
“We hope that in the future, the government will include it on the tourism map, akin to other prominent destinations in Kashmir. This would enable local residents to create employment opportunities and engage with the influx of tourists,” remarked Bashir Ahmad, a local.(KNS)
