Gujjar uproar brings dip in tourists' count to Agra

Agra, May 29: The ongoing Gujjar agitation has not only brought heavy financial losses to railways and roadways, but also hit the flourishing tourism industry, especially the tourist hub--the Taj city in Uttar Pradesh.

As traffic movement on various highways and roads, including the Jaipur-Agra route remained affected, the number of tourists to the city, both national and international, was also dimnishing, sources said.

In the last few days, a remarkable dip of 60 per cent was registered in the tourist flow.

Even, people visiting Fatehpur Sikri, is plummeting as most of them follow the same route, the sources informed.

The violent outburst among Gujjars has also put an adverse affect on interlinking tourism businesses like restaurants and hotels.

Several trains passing through Agra division continued to be suspended, while routes of many others have been diverted.

Taking note of the situation, the railway department has presently closed the Agra Fort-Bandikui-Bayana-Mathura and Alwar routes.

The cancellation of journey tickets has, therefore, resulted in heavy monetary losses to the railways.

A railway spkesperson here said, ''Till now, Rs 87 lakh have been refunded to passengers.'' Similarly, Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is facing huge losses.

As per the reports, the agitating community had vandalised railway tracks at various places to press their demands.

UNI